An Ant and Fly had sharp dispute Which creature was of most repute; When thus began the flaunting Fly: “Are you so laudible as I? I, ere the sacrifice is carved, Precede the gods; first come, first served-- Before the altar take my place, And in all temples show my face, Whene’er I please I set me down Upon the head that wears a crown. I with impunity can taste The kiss of matrons fair and chaste. And pleasure without labor claim-- Say, trollop, canst thou do the same?” “The feasts of gods are glorious fare. No doubt, to those who’re welcome there; But not for such detested things.-- You talk of matron’s lips and kings; I, who with wakeful care and pains Against the winter hoard my grains, Thee feeding upon ordure view.-- The altars you frequent, ’tis true; But still are driv’n away from thence, And elsewhere, as of much offence. A life of toil you will not lead, And so have nothing when you need. Besides all this, you talk with pride Of things that modesty should hide. You plague me here, while days increase, But when the winter comes you cease. Me, when the cold thy life bereaves, A plenteous magazine receives. I think I need no more advance To cure you of your arrogance.” The tenor of this tale infers Two very diff’rent characters; Of men self-praised and falsely vain, And men of real worth in grain. XX. THE ESCAPE OF SIMONIDES. Th’ attention letters can engage, Ev’n from a base degen’rate age, I’ve shown before; and now shall show Their lustre in another view, And tell a memorable tale, How much they can with heav’n prevail. Simonides, the very same We lately had a call to name, Agreed for such a sum to blaze A certain famous champion’s praise. He therefore a retirement sought, But found the theme on which he wrote So scanty, he was forced to use Th’ accustom’d license of the muse, And introduced and praise bestow’d On Leda’s sons to raise his ode; With these the rather making free, As heroes in the same degree. He warranted his work, and yet Could but one third of payment get. Upon demanding all the due, “Let them,” says he, “pay t’other two, Who take two places in the song; But lest you think I do you wrong And part in dudgeon--I invite Your company to sup this night, For then my friends and kin I see, ’Mongst which I choose to reckon thee.” Choused and chagrined, yet shunning blame, He promised, set the hour, and came; As fearful lest a favour spurn’d Should to an open breach be turn’d. The splendid banquet shone with plate, And preparations full of state Made the glad house with clamors roar-- When on a sudden at the door Two youths, with sweat and dust besmear’d, Above the human form appear’d, And charged forthwith a little scout To bid Simonides come out, That ’twas his int’rest not to stay.-- The slave, in trouble and dismay, Roused from his seat the feasting bard,