Classic Poem

THE CATERPILLAR AND THE ANT .

A PENSY Ant, right trig and clean,
Came ae day whidding o'er the green;
Where, to advance her pride, she saw
A Caterpillar moving slaw.
" Good ev'n t' ye, mistress Ant, " said he;
" How 's a' at hame? I 'm blyth to s' ye. "
The saucy Ant view'd him with scorn,
Nor wad civilities return;
But gecking up her head, quoth she,
" Poor animal! I pity thee;
" Wha scarce can claim to be a creature,
" But some experiment of nature,
" Whase silly shape displeas'd her eye,
" And thus unfinish'd was flung bye.
" For me, I 'm made with better grace,
" With active limbs, and lively face;
" And cleverly can move with ease
" Frae place to place where'er I please;
" Can foot a minuet or a jig,
" And snoov 't like ony whirly-gig;
" Which gars my jo aft grip my hand,
" Till his heart pitty-pattys, and — —
" But laigh my qualities I bring,
" To stand up clashing with a thing,
" A creeping thing the like of thee,
" Not worthy of a farewell t' ye. "
The airy ant syne turn'd awa,
And left him with a proud gaffa.
The Caterpillar was struck dumb,
And never answer'd her a mum:
The humble reptile fand some pain,
Thus to be banter'd with disdain.

But tent neist time the Ant came by,
The worm was grown a Butterfly:
Transparent were his wings and fair,
Which bare him flight'ring thro' the air.
Upon a flower he stapt his flight,
And thinking on his former slight,
Thus to the Ant himself addrest:
" Pray, Madam, will ye please to rest?
" And notice what I now advise:
" Inferiors ne'er too much despise,
" For fortune may gi'e sic a turn,
" To raise aboon ye what ye scorn:
" For instance, now I spread my wing
" In air, while you 're a creeping thing. "