Fables in Rhyme for Little Folks

<h2><SPAN name="f10" id="f10"></SPAN><i>The Dove And The Ant.</i></h2> <ANTIMG src="images/10,1.jpg" alt="10,1"><br/> <br/> An Ant who in a brook would drink<br/> Fell off the bank. He tried<br/> To swim, and felt his courage sink--<br/> This ocean seemed so wide.<br/> But for a dove who flew above<br/> He would have drowned and died.<br/> <br/> The friendly Dove within her beak<br/> A bridge of grass-stem bore:<br/> On this the Ant, though worn and weak.<br/> Contrived to reach the shore<br/> Said he: "The tact of this kind act<br/> I'll cherish evermore."<br/> <br/> Behold! A barefoot wretch went by<br/> With slingshot in his hand.<br/> Said he: "You'll make a pigeon pie<br/> That will be kind of grand."<br/> He meant to murder the gentle bird--<br/> Who did not understand.<br/> <ANTIMG src="images/10,2.jpg" alt="Said me, You'll make a pigeon-pie."><br/> <ANTIMG src="images/10,3.jpg" alt="10,3"><br/> The Ant then stung him on the heel<br/> (So quick to see the sling).<br/> He turned his head, and missed a meal:<br/> The pigeon pie took wing.<br/> And so the Dove lived on to love--<br/> Beloved by everything.<br/> <ANTIMG src="images/10,4.jpg" alt="Amor Vincit."> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <hr class="narrow"> &nbsp; <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />