A grasshopper gay Sang the summer away, And found herself poor By the winter's first roar. Of meat or of bread, Not a morsel she had! So a-begging she went, To her neighbour the ant, For the loan of some wheat, Which would serve her to eat, Till the season came round. "I will pay you," she saith, "On an animal's faith, Double weight in the pound Ere the harvest be bound." The ant is a friend (And here she might mend) Little given to lend. "How spent you the summer?" Quoth she, looking shame At the borrowing dame. "Night and day to each comer I sang, if you please." "You sang! I'm at ease; For 'tis plain at a glance, Now, ma'am, you must dance." [Illustration: THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT.] The Thieves and the Ass. Two thieves, pursuing their profession, Had of a donkey got possession, Whereon a strife arose, Which went from words to blows. The question was, to sell, or not to sell; But while our sturdy champions fought it well, Another thief, who chanced to pass, With ready wit rode off the ass. _This ass is, by interpretation,_ _Some province poor, or prostrate nation._ _The thieves are princes this and that,_ _On spoils and plunder prone to fat,--_ _As those of Austria, Turkey, Hungary._ _(Instead of two, I've quoted three--_ _Enough of such commodity.)_ _These powers engaged in war all,_ _Some fourth thief stops the quarrel,_ _According all to one key,_ _By riding off the donkey_ [Illustration: THE THIEVES AND THE ASS.] The Wolf Accusing the Fox. A wolf, affirming his belief That he had suffer'd by a thief, Brought up his neighbour fox-- Of whom it was by all confess'd, His character was not the best-- To fill the prisoner's box. As judge between these vermin, A monkey graced the ermine; And truly other gifts of Themis Did scarcely seem his; For while each party plead his cause, Appealing boldly to the laws, And much the question vex'd, Our monkey sat perplex'd. Their words and wrath expended, Their strife at length was ended; When, by their malice taught, The judge this judgment brought: "Your characters, my friends, I long have known, As on this trial clearly shown; And hence I fine you both--the grounds at large To state would little profit-- You wolf, in short, as bringing groundless charge, You fox, as guilty of it." _Come at it right or wrong, the judge opined_ _No other than a villain could be fined_ [Illustration: THE WOLF ACCUSING THE FOX BEFORE THE MONKEY.] The Lion and the Ass Hunting.