A Greedy Heir long waited to fulfill
Title:
The EXECUTOR.
Primary Text:
No MS; 1713 Misc, 132-4.
Secondary Ed:
Rpt of 1713: 1903 Reynolds, 189-90.
Source:
La Fontaine, "La Cure et le mort," VII, 10, 191-2 (for essential story); "La Laitiere et Le Pot au lait," VII, 9, 190-1 (for moral); utlimately derives from Aesopic tradition of philospher man who falls into ditch while dreaming , e.g. Rhys, Aesop's and other Fables, "The Astronomer," 86-7, L'Estrange, "An Astrologer and a Traveller," Pt 1, No 94.
Comment:
Finch has taken her ideas from La Fontaine's brief exposition and moral, and used realistic details within a narrative which is emblematic in the manner of her "The Decision of Fortune." Looking at this transformation to a story about an heir, it does seem that Finch's animus in her poems against the adoring mother and foolish touring heir are against the eldest son spoilt by primogeniture. It might be relevant to remember she had no children of her own and her Heneage was a younger son. See of "NO Cautions of a Matron, Old and Sage", "A Fond Athenian Mother brought".
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