Aesop, in Rhyme

THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW.

Reading edition

A fool who all had thrown away,

When wandering pennyless one day,

Perceived a swallow. "Ho," says he,

"Summer is come at last I see!"

And to a Jew his mantle sold.

Next day it was severely cold:

Starv'd as he walk'd, the bird he found

Frozen to death upon the ground.

"Ah! what a fool was I," he cried,

"When on one swallow I relied!"

Those who too readily believe,

For their credulity may grieve.