FABLE XVIII. The Ants and Grass-hopper:
Or, Provide for your self.
Some frugal Ants, that, with unweary'd Pain,
Had fill'd their Stores, in Summer-time, with Grain;
When Winter's pinching Season was begun,
Expos'd their hoarded Treasure to the Sun.
A Grass-hopper, that saw them thus supply'd,
While he lack'd Food, thro' Idleness and Pride;
Besought them to commiserate his Grief,
And, from their Plenty, grant him some Relief.
The Ants enquir'd how he himself apply'd,
When he had Time, and shou'd his Stock provide;
Or if in Sloth he the kind Season spent,
When he, by Labour, might his Wants prevent.
He answer'd them; He then employ'd his Care
To chear the Work-man, and the Traveller:
The pleasing Melody he made all Day,
Shortned one's Labour, and the other's Way.
They said, He much Improvidence had shewn,
To mind their Bus'ness, and neglect his own;
And, since he took no Pains to gather Meat,
It was but just, he shou'd have none to eat:
He that did others with his Songs revive,
Shou'd now, with Dancing, keep himself alive.
The MORAL.
‘In Youth and Strength we shou'd our Pains engage,
‘To make Provision for our Feeble Age;
‘That Hoary Winter will require a Store,
‘Which we shall seek too late, if not before:
‘And he that does not for himself provide,
‘Shou'd not by others hope to be supply'd:
‘For what the Diligent, by Labour, gain,
‘Wou'd on a Slothful Wretch be spent in vain.
