Help with Dutch translation?

[hrj]

My friend ppfuf is working on recreating some 16th c. fruit trenchers with painted designs based on a 16th c. Dutch metrical version of Aesop's fables. She will have undying gratitude for anyone willing to help out with a translation of the verses. I don't want to pressure anyone specifically, but I know there are several people on my f-list with various levels of competence in Dutch. So if this sounds amusing ....

Comments

[aryanhwy.livejournal.com]

Sure, I can help.

[ppfuf.livejournal.com]

Hi, and thanks! I mostly just want to know if the stories match the verses on the English set.

The Thief and the Dog:
False thieves with bread the dogs assay
Their master’s household to betray
This warns us from bribes to fly
Least that we hurt our friends thereby.

The Bear and the Bees:
The Bees so fiercely sting the Bear
While he their honey hives do tear
So some that pleasure seeks in haste
With sour sauce their sweet do taste.

The Snail and the Eagle:
The snail, not liking his estate,
The Eagle prayes to elevate
And through his pride he falls again
Which change is like to ambitious men.

The Ass who Ate Thistles:
The Ass which dainty meats does carry
And feeds on thistles all the year:
Is like the wretch that hoards up gold
And yet for want does suffer cold.

The Lion and the Mouse:
The Lion snared, the Mouse entreats for help:
The Mouse the fetters frets
Meaning that men of high degree
By Poorer men relieved may be

The Monkey and the Cat:
The Monkey seeing nuts in [the] fire
Does force the Cat to pluck them nearer;
This shows the envious do not care,
Whose house do burn so they have [a] share.

[egoldberg.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine being useful w/16th century Dutch, which is why I'm not volunteering. ;-)