[Footnote IV.34: _Carrying about their pictures_)--Ver. 24. It was the custom for shipwrecked persons to go about soliciting charity with a painting suspended from the neck, representing their calamity; much in the fashion which we sometimes see followed at the present day.] FABLE XXII. THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOUR. A Mountain[35] was in labour, sending forth dreadful groans, and there was in the districts the highest expectation. After all, it brought forth a Mouse. This is designed for you, who, when you have threatened great things, produce nothing. [Footnote IV.35: _A Mountain_)--Ver. 1. Tachos, King of Egypt, is said by Plutarch to have said to Agesilaüs, King of Sparta, when he came to his assistance: “The mountain has been in labour, Jupiter has been in alarm, but it has brought forth a mouse,” alluding to the diminutive stature of Agesilaus; who contented himself with replying, in answer to this rude remark: “One day I shall appear to you even to be a lion.”] FABLE XXIII. THE ANT AND THE FLY. An Ant and a Fly were contending with great warmth which was of the greater importance. The Fly was the first to begin: “Can you possibly compare with my endowments? When a sacrifice is made, I am the first to taste of the entrails that belong to the Gods. I pass my time among the altars, I wander through all the temples; soon as I have espied it, I seat myself on the head of a king; and I taste of the chaste kisses of matrons. I labour not, and yet enjoy the nicest of things: what like to this, {good} rustic, falls to your lot?” “Eating with the Gods,” said the Ant, “is certainly a thing to be boasted of; but by him who is invited, not him who is loathed {as an intruder}. You talk about kings and the kisses of matrons. While I am carefully heaping up a stock of grain for winter, I see you feeding on filth about the walls. You frequent the altars; yes, and are driven away as often as you come. You labour not; therefore it is that you have nothing when you stand in need of it. And, further, you boast about what modesty ought to conceal. You tease me in summer; when winter comes you are silent. While the cold is shrivelling you up and putting you to death, a well-stored abode harbours me. Surely I have now pulled down your pride enough.” A Fable of this nature distinctly points out the characters of those who set themselves off with unfounded praises, and of those whose virtues gain solid fame. FABLE XXIV. SIMONIDES PRESERVED BY THE GODS. I have said, above, how greatly learning is esteemed among men: I will now hand down to posterity how great is the honor paid to it by the Gods.