XIX. The Ant and the Fly

An Ant and Fly had sharp dispute

Which creature was of most repute;

When thus began the flaunting Fly:

“Are you so laudible as I?

I, ere the sacrifice is carved,

Precede the gods; first come, first served—

Before the altar take my place,

And in all temples show my face,

Whene’er I please I set me down

Upon the head that wears a crown.

I with impunity can taste

The kiss of matrons fair and chaste.

And pleasure without labor claim—

Say, trollop, canst thou do the same?”

“The feasts of gods are glorious fare.

No doubt, to those who’re welcome there;

But not for such detested things.—

You talk of matron’s lips and kings;

I, who with wakeful care and pains

Against the winter hoard my grains,

Thee feeding upon ordure view.—

The altars you frequent, ’tis true;

But still are driv’n away from thence,

And elsewhere, as of much offence.

A life of toil you will not lead,

And so have nothing when you need.

Besides all this, you talk with pride

Of things that modesty should hide.

You plague me here, while days increase,

But when the winter comes you cease.

Me, when the cold thy life bereaves,

A plenteous magazine receives.

I think I need no more advance

To cure you of your arrogance.”

The tenor of this tale infers

Two very diff’rent characters;

Of men self-praised and falsely vain,

And men of real worth in grain.

Riley