266 LESSONS FOR THE LITERATI. 



THE ANT AND THE FLEA. 



Some persons have a way of claiming 

 All knowledge that is worth the naming, 

 Men who, whatever they hear or see, 

 However new and rare it be, 

 Meet it with some contemptuous phrasing, 

 To spare themselves the pains of praising. 

 Now, by the soul of me, this class 

 Shall not my burning ordeal pass, 

 Without a fable with them taking, 

 Although it be a day in making. 



An ant once shew'd a flea, her neighbour, 

 Th' effects of all her toil and labour ; 

 The whole construction of her dwelling, 

 Explaining ev'ry part, and telling 

 The uses of each sep'rate story ; 

 The granary the dormitory 

 Shew'd with what ease the grain they bear in, 

 The task amongst such numbers sharing, 

 And other things, which, feign'd or fabled, 

 Might seem, if we were not enabled 

 By study and experience due, 

 To know and hold them all as true. 



The flea, to all this information, 

 Vouchsafed no other observation 

 Than sentences like these : " ha so 

 I understand of course I know- 

 I see 'tis clear quite obvious that 

 I don't see much to wonder at." 



" Then," said the ant, " I wish you'd come 

 With me, my friend, and in our home, 

 For our advantage, let us see 

 A proof of your proficiency. 

 You speak in such a master-tone, 

 'Twill be no sooner said than done." 



The flea with impudence unshamed, 

 Cut a light caper and exclaim'd, 

 " Surely you do not mean to doubt 

 My skill to work such trifles out ; 

 'Tis but t' apply one's-self but stay 

 I am busy now another day." 



