[Illustration: THE ANT AND THE FLY.]
One day there happened some words between the Ant and the Fly about
precedency, and the point was argued with great warmth and eagerness on
both sides. Says the Fly, 'It is well known what my pretensions are, and
how justly they are grounded: there is never a sacrifice that is offered
but I always taste of the entrails, even before the gods themselves. I
have one of the uppermost seats at church, and frequent the altar as
often as any body: I have a free admission at court; and can never want
the king's ear, for I sometimes sit upon his shoulder. There is not a
maid of honour, or handsome young creature, comes in my way, but, if I
like her, I settle betwixt her balmy lips, and then I eat and drink the
best of every thing, without having any occasion to work for my living.
What is there that such country pusses as you enjoy, to be compared with
a life like this?'--The Ant, who by this time had composed herself,
replied with a great deal of temper, and no less severity--'Indeed, to
be a guest at an entertainment of the gods, is a very great honour, if
one is invited; but I should not care to be a disagreeable intruder any
where. You talk of the king and the court, and the fine ladies there,
with great familiarity; but, as I have been getting in my harvest in
summer, I have seen a certain person under the town walls, making a
hearty meal upon something that is not so proper to be mentioned. As to
your frequenting the altars, you are in the right to take sanctuary
where you are like to meet with the least disturbance: but I have known
people before now run to altars, and call it devotion, when they have
been shut out of all good company, and had no where else to go. You do
not work for your living, you say,--true: therefore, when you have
played away the summer, and winter comes, you have nothing to live upon;
and, while you are starving with cold and hunger, I have a good warm
house over my head, and plenty of provisions about me.'