Library:The Stage-Coach and the Fly

The Stage-Coach and the Fly
Up a steep hill and painful road of sand,

While to the sun exposed on every hand,

Six powerful horses drew a carriage on:

Women, old men, and friars all got down.

The morses smoked and panted--at a stand.

A fly came up, and seemed to take command;

Thought to excite them by his buzzing song,

Stung them by turns to make them get along,

And every moment thought to see them go--

Sat on the seat-sat on the driver's nose.

Soon as he saw the carriage moving slow,

The travellers marching on--his pride arose;

And to himself the praise he took;

Went round with eager haste, and seemed to look

Like some bold battle-serjeant out of breath,

Pressing his ranks to victory or death.

The fly complained that in this joint affair

He acted singly, and had all the care--

None helped him in his work with kind accord:

The friar o'er his breviary pored;

Fit time indeed!--A woman sand the while--

Was singing there required to soften toil!

The fly went buzzing to their ears his thanks,

And played a hundred, wicked pranks.

After much toil the coach arrived on high:

"Let's breathe a little now!" exclaimed the fly;

"I've worked so hard, we've got upon the plain

Come, my good horses, pay me for my pain."

Thus certain people, with important air,

Meddle with business they know nought about;

Seem to be wanted everywhere,

And everywhere they ought to be turned out.