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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT, by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: The grasshopper that through the summer Last Line: "well, now start your pirouetting." | |||
THE Grasshopper that through the Summer heat Her cymbals beat, Found her bare board without a crumb And the chill wynd of Winter come. Not one tiny shred of fly Nor of earth-worm could she spy. Off she went her plight bewailing To the Ant beyond the railing, Begging food enough to save Her shrivell'd body from the grave Till the boughs again were shady. "I'll repay," pronounced my Lady, "Ere hot August come, your loan With the interest due thereon." Now the Ant likes not to lend, (A small fault wherein she strayes), "How fared you in your Summer dayes?" Said she to her needy friend. "Unto all, sun high or setting, I did sing, save your displeasure." "Did you then? I'm glad you'd leisure! Well, now start your pirouetting." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE AND FOLLY by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE ASS CLOTHED IN THE LION'S SKIN by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE CASTLE-BUILDER by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE COBBLER AND THE RICH MAN by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE COCK AND THE FOX by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE COUNCIL HELD BY THE RATS (1) by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE CROW AND THE FOX by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE DONKEY LOADED WITH RELICS by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE RAT WHO WITHDREW FROM THE WORLD by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE WOODSMOKE AT 70 by HAYDEN CARRUTH |
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