Who on that day had led the band:
"Fool that thou art," he said, "to think
Upon such terms to eat and drink.
What!—thou—a Goose in ev'ry thing—
Dare to presume with us to sing.
Why there's no art, be what it will.
Demands such genius and skill.
Leave us to sing alone, I pray.
And seek thy food some other way."
(Iriarte, Literary Fables. Translated by John Balfour.)
THE Ant once showed the Flea, her neighbour,
The results of all her toil and labour;
The whole construction of her dwelling.
Explaining every part and telling
The uses of each separate story;
The granary—the dormitory—
Showed how a task which numbers share
Made easy heaviest loads to bear.
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.
