FABLE LXIII
by John Gay · from Fables of John Gay (Somewhat Altered)
Adapted Version
Once, there were two friends. Their names were Tom and Will. One day, they were very bored. They had nothing to do. Tom sat on a chair. He looked at the floor. He was very sad. "I want to play," he said. "I want to play all day." Will was busy. He ran here and there. He talked to many people. He ate fancy food. But Will had no fun. He did not smile. He did not laugh. It was a very boring day.
What can help on a boring day? A story can help. Let's tell a story now. It is a story about friends.
Three special friends met one day. They were not people. They were ideas. Their names were Wealth, Love, and Time. Wealth was shiny and bright. Love was warm and gentle. Time was quiet and slow. They stood under a big tree.
The friends began to talk. They had a big question. "Who are we?" they asked. "And who is most important of all?"
Wealth spoke first. His voice was loud and proud. He held up a big bag. The bag was full of gold. "I am the most important," he said. "I give people houses and cars. I give them shiny toys. I give them sweet cakes to eat. Gold makes all people happy."
Then Love spoke. Her voice was soft and kind. She had a warm smile. "No, I am most important," she said. "Gold cannot make you happy. I give people friends. I give them a home. I give people warm hugs. This makes them feel safe and loved."
Time listened to Wealth. Time listened to Love. Time was old and very wise. Time spoke in a quiet voice. "You are both wrong," said Time. "Listen to me now. I am the most important one."
Wealth and Love were quiet now. They listened to old Father Time. "Wealth," Time said. "Your gold is nothing. It takes time to find gold. It takes time to use gold." Then Time looked at Love. "Love," Time said. "You need time to grow. A friendship takes time. A home takes time. Without me, there is nothing."
Time smiled a slow, knowing smile. "I give the gift of moments. I give you moments for fun. You can run and play in my moments. You can read a book in my moments. You can give a hug in my moments. Each moment is a special gift. Do not waste a single one."
Wealth looked at his gold. It did not seem so shiny now. Love thought about her hugs. They needed moments to happen. They both looked at wise old Time. At last, they knew. "You are right," they both said. "You are the most important gift of all."
Original Story
FABLE LXIII.
Plutus, Cupid, and Time.
Of all the burthens mortals bear
Time is most galling and severe;
Beneath his grievous load oppressed
We daily meet a man distressed:
"I've breakfasted, and what to do
I do not know; we dine at two."
He takes a pamphlet or the papers,
But neither can dispel his vapours;
He raps his snuff-box, hums an air,
He lolls, or changes now his chair,
He sips his tea, or bites his nails,
Then finds a chum, and then bewails
Unto his sympathising ear
The burthen they have both to bear.
"I wish all hours were post meridiem,"
Said Tom; "so that I were well rid of 'm.
Why won't men play piquet and ombre
Before the evening hour grows sombre?
The women do it,—play quadrille
Morning and evening when they will.
They cast away the spleen and vapours
By daylight as by midnight tapers."
"My case is different," said Will;
"I have the means, but lack the skill:
I am a courtier, in attendance,
And sleep the time out in dependence.
I should have been until the dark,
But for this rain now, in the park,
And then at court, till coming night
Puts court and all my cares to flight.
Then comes my dinner: then away
From wine unto the stupid play
Till ten o'clock; and then assemblies.
And so my time, which you contemn, flies.
I like to ramble midst the fair,
And nothing I find vexes there,—
Save that time flies: and then the club
Gives men their supper and their rub.
And there we all enjoy ourselves,
Till slumber lays us on her shelves."
My worthy friends, Time which devours,
Eats up the demons—passing hours:
Were you to books or business bred,
Too fleetly, then, would they be sped;
For time is fugitive as air.
Now lay aside your spleen or care,
And listen unto me and fable—
That is to say, if you are able.
Plutus, one morn, met Master Cupid;
They stood a moment, as though stupid,
Until they recognised each other.
They complimented with some pother,
When Time overtook them in his walk,
And then all three fell into talk
Of what each one had done for man.
And Plutus, purse-proud, he began:
"Let kings or cobblers, for that matter,
Tell of the gifts which we bespatter;
Deem ye, that loyalty encumbers
The congregated courtly numbers?
Be undeceived: the strongest hold
Man has on fellow-man is gold!
Knaves have led senates, swayed debates,
Enriched themselves, and beggared states
Flatter yourselves no more: 'tis riches—
The depth of pocket of the breeches
That rules the roast. Unhappy wight
Is the poor soul with pocket light;
His solitary day descends,
Quite unencumbered by his friends."
"Of human hearts, and of their yearnings,"
Said Cupid, "I have some discernings;
And own the power of gold. Its power,
Added to beauty as its dower,
Has oftentimes—there's no disputing—
Added a charm, was passed confuting.
Ay—marriage, as has been professed,
Is but a money-job at best;
But not so hearts, and not so love,—
They are the power of gold above.
Those who have true love known and tried,
Have every pettier want defied;
They nestle, and, beneath the storm,
In their own love lie snug and warm.
They every selfish feeling smother,
And one lives only for the other."
Then Time, who pulled his forelock, said:
"To love and money man is wed,
And very apt are both to flout me;
And, if they could, would do without me.
Fools! I supply the vital space
In which they move, and run their race;
Without me they would be a dream.
Behold the miser! does he deem
Those hoards are his? So long—no more—
Than I am with him, is the store.
Soon from him as I pass away,
His heir will lavish them with play.
To arts and learning, matins' chime,
Vespers and midnight, seizing time,
I never know an idle hour
Love not more fugitive in bower.
But I have heard coquettes complain
That they have let the seasons wane,
Nor caught me in my flight; and sorrowed
To see the springtide was but borrowed—
Not permanent—and so had wasted
The tide of joy they never tasted.
But myriads have their time employed,
And myriads have their time enjoyed.
Why then are mortals heedless grown,
Nor care to make each hour their own?
They should beware how we may sever,
At unawares, once and for ever!"
Cupid and Plutus understood
Old Time was man's supremest good:
To him they yielded, and confessed
Time is of godlike blessings—best.
Story DNA
Moral
Time is the most valuable and essential resource, without which wealth and love cannot exist or be enjoyed.
Plot Summary
The fable begins by illustrating how mortals perceive time as a burden, with two men lamenting their idle hours. The narrator then introduces a meeting between Plutus (Wealth), Cupid (Love), and Time, who each argue for their own supremacy. Plutus boasts of gold's power, Cupid champions true love, but Time ultimately reveals that both wealth and love are meaningless without his presence, as he provides the very space and duration for their existence. Realizing this profound truth, Plutus and Cupid concede that Time is the most essential and greatest blessing.
Themes
Emotional Arc
ignorance to understanding
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay was an 18th-century English poet and dramatist, known for his fables which often satirized contemporary society and offered moral lessons. The complaints about boredom and the structured social life reflect the concerns of the upper classes of his era.
Plot Beats (12)
- The narrator introduces the common human complaint that Time is a heavy burden, illustrating this with two men, Tom and Will, who are bored and feel their time is wasted.
- Tom wishes for all hours to be 'post meridiem' to escape boredom, noting how women fill their time with card games.
- Will, a courtier, describes his busy but unfulfilling schedule of attendance, social events, and entertainment, still feeling time flies too quickly despite his complaints.
- The narrator interjects, advising that if one were engaged in books or business, time would pass too quickly, and introduces the fable.
- Plutus (Wealth) and Cupid (Love) meet and exchange compliments, then Time joins them.
- The three begin to discuss their respective importance to mankind.
- Plutus speaks first, asserting that gold is the strongest bond among men, influencing kings, cobblers, and senates, and that poverty leads to loneliness.
- Cupid responds, admitting gold's power but arguing that true love surpasses it, providing warmth, comfort, and selflessness that defy petty wants.
- Time then speaks, chastising both Plutus and Cupid for their arrogance, stating that he provides the essential existence for their powers to manifest.
- Time explains that wealth is only possessed for as long as he is present, and love is also fleeting, but he is always busy with arts, learning, and daily routines.
- Time warns that mortals often neglect him, regretting wasted opportunities and the swift passage of seasons, and that he can depart forever without warning.
- Cupid and Plutus understand Time's argument and concede that he is the greatest of all blessings.
Characters
Plutus ◆ supporting
A robust, well-fed figure, exuding an aura of prosperity and material wealth. His build is solid, suggesting a life of comfort and abundance rather than physical labor. He carries himself with a confident, almost arrogant bearing.
Attire: Rich, heavy robes made of silk or velvet, possibly in deep jewel tones like emerald green or sapphire blue, embroidered with gold thread. He would wear a large, ornate signet ring and possibly a heavy gold chain.
Wants: To assert the supreme power and influence of wealth over all other aspects of human existence.
Flaw: Overconfidence in the power of money, blindness to intangible values like love or the fundamental necessity of time.
Initially arrogant and convinced of his own supremacy, he is ultimately humbled and yields to Time, acknowledging Time's fundamental importance.
Arrogant, materialistic, self-important, persuasive, pragmatic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A robust, well-fed male figure of ageless appearance, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a round, full face with a self-satisfied expression, keen eyes, and neatly styled dark hair. He wears rich, heavy robes of deep emerald green velvet, embroidered with intricate gold thread patterns, and a heavy gold chain around his neck. A large, ornate gold signet ring is on his right hand. His posture is proud and chest-out. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Cupid ◆ supporting
A youthful, cherubic figure, typically depicted as a winged boy. His build is light and agile, suggesting swift movement and a playful nature.
Attire: Minimal attire, often just a simple sash or loincloth, emphasizing his natural form and freedom. The sash might be made of light, flowing silk in a soft pink or white.
Wants: To assert the supreme power of love and affection over material wealth and other human desires.
Flaw: Underestimates the practical necessities of life and the influence of external factors like time and money.
Initially confident in the power of love, he ultimately acknowledges Time's fundamental role as the container for all human experience.
Passionate, idealistic, perceptive (regarding human hearts), somewhat naive about practical matters, persuasive.
Image Prompt & Upload
A youthful, cherubic male figure, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a sweet, innocent face with rosy cheeks, bright blue eyes, and a mass of golden curls. Small, feathered white wings are visible on his back. He wears only a light, flowing soft pink silk sash draped across his body. He holds a small, ornate golden bow in his left hand and a single golden arrow in his right. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Time ◆ supporting
An ancient, venerable figure, often depicted as lean and somewhat gaunt, but with an underlying strength. His form suggests endless endurance rather than physical might. He carries himself with a steady, unhurried pace.
Attire: Simple, flowing robes, perhaps in a muted grey or brown, suggesting timelessness and the natural elements rather than human fashion. The fabric would appear ancient and worn, yet enduring.
Wants: To remind mortals and other deities of his fundamental and inescapable role in all existence, and to encourage wise use of the time given.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; his nature is presented as an ultimate, unavoidable force.
He serves as the ultimate arbiter and teacher, revealing his essential nature to Plutus and Cupid, who then acknowledge his supremacy.
Wise, patient, inexorable, observant, fundamental, authoritative.
Image Prompt & Upload
An ancient, venerable male figure of elderly appearance, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a deeply lined, wise face, deep-set knowing eyes, and a long, flowing white beard and hair that appears windswept. He wears simple, flowing robes of muted grey linen that appear ancient and enduring. His posture is steady and slightly leaning forward, as if perpetually moving. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
A Gentleman's Drawing Room
A well-appointed, somewhat stuffy drawing room of a Georgian-era gentleman, likely in London, furnished with comfortable chairs, a small table for tea or pamphlets, and possibly a snuff-box. The atmosphere is one of boredom and mild frustration.
Mood: Stifling, melancholic, idle, slightly luxurious.
Tom and Will lament the slow passage of time and their inability to fill their days, illustrating the human burden of time.
Image Prompt & Upload
A richly furnished Georgian drawing room with dark polished wood furniture, a patterned rug, and heavy velvet curtains partially drawn. Soft, diffused light from a tall window illuminates dust motes in the air. A small, ornate snuff-box rests on a polished mahogany side table next to a half-read pamphlet. The room feels quiet and slightly melancholic, with an air of genteel idleness. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
A Formal Park
A manicured park, likely in a city like London, with pathways, trees, and open spaces suitable for strolling. It's a place for social interaction and leisure, particularly for courtiers and the 'fair'.
Mood: Social, leisurely, potentially romantic, but also subject to the whims of weather.
Will mentions this as a place he would normally spend his afternoon, highlighting the social aspect of his life and how time is spent in leisure.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, tree-lined gravel path winding through a formal Georgian park. Mature oak and elm trees with full green canopies cast dappled shadows on the path and manicured lawns. In the distance, a classical stone folly or statue is partially visible. The sky is overcast, suggesting a recent or impending rain shower, lending a muted green and grey palette to the scene. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
A Grand Court or Palace
A lavish interior of a European court or palace, likely bustling with courtiers and activity. It would feature opulent decorations, possibly large halls or reception rooms.
Mood: Formal, busy, political, perhaps a bit stifling for those 'in attendance'.
Will describes his duties and social obligations at court, where he 'sleeps the time out in dependence' until evening.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, high-ceilinged hall within a European Baroque palace, adorned with intricate gilded stucco work and large oil paintings. Sunlight streams through tall arched windows, illuminating polished marble floors and reflecting off crystal chandeliers. Courtiers in elaborate 18th-century attire mill about, their conversations echoing softly in the grand space. The air is formal and subtly perfumed. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
