The Nightingale And Glow-worm

: Moores Fables For Girls

The prudent nymph, whose cheeks disclose

The lily and the blushing rose,

From public view her charms will skreen,

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 glitt'ring train,

Cry'd 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;

Awhile 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.