The Ants and the Grasshopper

The ants, a prudent, painful train, Brought forth and dri'd their heaps of grain, A grasshopper half starv'd went by, Who bow'd and beg'd their charity: To whom a hoary ant reply'd, In harvest how's your time employ'd? I sing (the insect said) and play, To make the lab'ring peasants gay; Ah! cry'd the ant, how just the chance— As then you sung, you now may dance; In vain you here for food apply, I'll feed no idle folks, not I.