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ON a Sun-shine Day, after a rainy Season, at the beginning of Winter; a great num∣ber of Ants or Pismires, marched in a long train out of their Hole; each of them loaded with a grain of moist Corn, which they carry∣ed out to dry in the Sun. This sight induced a miserable Grass-hopper, almost famished for
want of Sustenance, to draw near them, and in an humble manner beg for some relief a∣mongst them. Which one of the ancientest Pis∣mires hearing, whose years and experience had gained him a more than ordinary respect with the rest, asked the Grass-hopper, In what he had imployed himself all the Summer, that he should already be reduced to such necessity? Truly I spent my time, answered the Grass-hop∣per, in making a delightful Melody, for the Entertainment of such as frequented the Fields. Then truly, replied the Ant, Laughing, If you could live so Idly, in so plentiful a Season, only singing and making Musick, without taking care to provide for a time of Scarcity; you may e∣ven spend the Winter in Dancing, to which your Body will be the more fitly prepared, not being over-charged with eating: For as for my part, I cannot think my self obliged to maintain one so lazy and unprofitable as you are, with the Fruits of my Labour and Industry.
Young Men, you that are in the Flower of your Age, and wast your precious time in Folly and Vanity, without thinking what will become of you, when you shall be grown Old: Consider well this Fable; Open the Eyes of your Under∣standing, and learn by this wholsom Instructi∣on; That in the Spring time of your Youth and Strength, you are offered a fair Opportunity of making a Provision for the Winter of your Old Age; which if neglected, you may reasonably expect to end your days in want and misery. The Italians say;
Che l' antico Proverbio é cosa vera, La Vita il Fine, il Di loda la Sera. The Truth's approved which these two Proverbs say, Th' End shows the Life, the Evening Crowns the Day.
Propter frigus piger arare noluit; Men∣dicabit ergo Aestate, & non dabitur illi.