La Fontaine, born in 1621 at Chateau-Thierry, had died in 1695.

He had entered in his youth the brotherhood of the Oratory, which he had soon quitted, being unable, he used to say, to accustom himself to theology.

He went and came between town and town, amusing himself everywhere, and already writing a little.
"For me the whole round world was laden with delights; My heart was touched by flower, sweet sound, and sunny day, I was the sought of friends and eke of lady gay." Fontaine was married, without caring much for his wife, whom he left to live alone at Chateau-Thierry.

He was in great favor with Fouquet.

When his patron was disgraced, in danger of his life, La Fontaine put into the mouth of the nymphs of Vaux his touching appeal to the king's clemency:-- "May he, then, o'er the life of high-souled Henry pore, Who, with the power to take, for vengeance yearned no more O, into Louis' soul this gentle spirit breathe." Later on, during Fouquet's imprisonment at Pignerol, La Fontaine wrote further,-- "I sigh to think upon the object of my prayers; You take my sense, Ariste; your generous nature shares The plaints I make for him who so unkindly fares.
He did displease the king; and lo his friends were gone Forthwith a thousand throats roared out at him like one.
I wept for him, despite the torrent of his foes, I taught the world to have some pity for his woes." La Fontaine has been described as a solitary being, without wit, and without external charm of any kind.