The Dove And The Ant.

An Ant who in a brook would drink

Fell off the bank. He tried

To swim, and felt his courage sink--

This ocean seemed so wide.

But for a dove who flew above

He would have drowned and died.

The friendly Dove within her beak

A bridge of grass-stem bore:

On this the Ant, though worn and weak.

Contrived to reach the shore

Said he: "The tact of this kind act

I'll cherish evermore."

Behold! A barefoot wretch went by

With slingshot in his hand.

Said he: "You'll make a pigeon pie

That will be kind of grand."

He meant to murder the gentle bird--

Who did not understand.

The Ant then stung him on the heel

(So quick to see the sling).

He turned his head, and missed a meal:

The pigeon pie took wing.

And so the Dove lived on to love--

Beloved by everything.