fables. Fab. XXXIII. Of the Fly and the Ant. ^T y IT "THenthehotDog-ftar, joyn'd with V/ V/ T'bcebns Beams, Drank broad-back'd Floods, to nar- row-fhoulder'd Streams, From the King's Palace comes the filken Fly} And cuts with Sarcenet Wings the fultry Sky; From whence he faw black bands of labouring Anu (Mindful of Winter,and approaching Wants) March through ftraight paths,on many moulders born View'd a great Convoy guard one grain of Corn. Then to himfelf hefaid ; 'Tis wond'rous ftrange Ants thus mould toy], to fill fome petty Grange, W^hen thoie in Courts, and Cities, with lefs pain, Oft in an hour get more than R ufticks gain In their whole life: Clowns toyl for Cloath and Milk, While Courtiers feaft, and flant in Gold and Silk, Purchas'd in Kid-skin Gloves a thoufand ways; None er by Sweat did a great Fortune raife. Then to a labouring Ant} the Fly did call, And makes Companions odious unto all. What art thou wretch,to me?worm,thou doft creep And liv'ft in Caves, while I my Palace keep In Princes Courts, and when the World is May, About their Sun-reflecting Tow'rs I play : Among Heavens feather'd Quirifters I have flown, And to Celeftial Mufick was the Drone. Thou Water drink'ft,and eat'ft the Bread of Care, And when your Squadrons plunder, thou doft mare Perhaps one grain of Wheat, gain'd with more Toyl, Than fome get Kingdoms, and fubdue an Ifle.