| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Babouin. | | |
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Taisez-vous, petite babouin; laissez parlez votre mère, qui est plus sage que vous. The tale or fable is this: A girl one day went to make an offering to Venus, and prayed the goddess to give her for husband a young man on whom she had fixed her affections. A young fellow happened at the time to be behind the image of Cupid, and hearing the petition, replied, “So fine a gentleman is not for such as you.” The voice seemed to proceed from the image, and the girl replied, “Hold your tongue, you little monkey; let your mother speak, for she is wiser than you.” | 1 |
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