*Translated by Elizur Wright, Jr. FABLES OF LA FONTAINE The Grasshopper and the Ant 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." The Swan and the Cook The pleasures of a poultry yard Were by a Swan and Gosling shared. The Swan was kept there for his looks, The thrifty Gosling for the Cooks; The first the garden's pride, the latter A greater favourite on the platter. They swam the ditches, side by side, And oft in sports aquatic vied, Plunging, splashing far and wide, With rivalry ne'er satisfied. One day the Cook, named Thirsty John, Sent for the Gosling, took the Swan, In haste his throat to cut, And put him in the pot. The bird's complaint resounded In glorious melody; Whereat the Cook, astounded His sad mistake to see, Cried, "What! make soup of a musician! Please God, I'll never set such dish on. No, no; I'll never cut a throat That sings so passing sweet a note." _'Tis thus, whatever peril may alarm us, Sweet words will surely never harm us_. The Hornets and the Bees