The prudent nymph, whose cheeks disclose
The lily and the blushing rose,
From public view her charms will screen,
And rarely in the crowd be seen;
This simple truth shall keep her wise,
" The fairest fruits attract the flies."
One night a Glow-worm, proud and vain,
Contemplating her glittering train,
Cried, " Sure there never was in nature
So elegant, so fine a creature!
All other insects that I see,
The frugal ant, industrious bee,
Or silk-worm, with contempt I view,
With all that low mechanic crew
Who servilely their lives employ
In business, enemy to joy!
Mean vulgar herd! ye are my scorn;
For grandeur only I was born,
Or sure am sprung from race divine,
And plac'd on earth to live and shine:
Those lights that sparkle so on high,
Are but the Glow-worms of the sky;
And kings on earth their gems admire
Because they imitate my fire."
She spoke: attentive, on a spray,
A Nightingale forbore his lay;
He saw the shining morsel near,
And flew directed by the glare;
A while he gaz'd with sober look,
And thus the trembling prey bespoke:
" Deluded fool! with pride elate,
Know 'tis thy beauty brings thy fate;
Less dazzling, long thou might'st have lain
Unheeded on the velvet plain.
Pride soon or late degraded mourns,
And Beauty wrecks whom she adorns."