The fly and the ant were arguing over their worth.
"Great *Jupiter" said the former,
"Must self-esteem blind the minds
In such an odious way,
That a vile and rampant animal
Dare to claim equality with a flying damsel?
I haunt Palaces, at your table I sit:
If an ox is sacrificed, I taste it ahead of you;
While this puny and miserable one,
Lives three days on a chaff she drug home.
But, tell me my sweet,
Do you ever light on a King's head,
An emperor, or a beautiful girl?
I do it, and I kiss a beautiful breast at will;
I buzz playing through her hair;
Hightening her usually pale complexion;
And the final touch added to the beauty
Of a lady going out to conquer,
Is an adjustment borrowed from *us.
Well, my head is aching
With your lofts- Did you say?
The housewife replied.
"You do haunt Palaces, but you are hated there.
As far as being first to taste
Of what is served the these Gods,
Do you believe it to be better?
If you enter everywhere, so do laymen.
Upon Kings heads and Donkeys too
You alight, and that I'll not deny.
I know, too, that a prompt death
Is often punishment for your importunities.
Certain primping, you say, beautifies;
I grant it: it is as black as you and I.
It is called Fly: is that a reason why
You should sing your praises so?
Aren't flies also called parasites?
So stop your babble so vain:
Think no more these haughty thoughts.
Court flies are chased out;
*Spies hang high, and so will you die of hunger,
Of cold, languishing, miserable,
When *Phoebus will reign on another hemisphere,
Then, I shall enjoy the fruit of my labor.
I'll not go, up hill and down dale,
To expose myself to wind and rain;
Then I shall live trouble-free.
Having taken precautions will exempt me from worry.
Thus I shall teach you there
The meaning of false or true glory.
Farewell, I am wasting time, let me work;
Neither my loft, nor my cupboard
Are stocked by idle chatter."

Work steadily and always plan for lean times.

*Jupiter. Myth. Latin. The father and Master of the gods.
*Mouche. (fly) has another meaning- a beauty-patch.
*Spies (mouchards) (meaning "spies" or "stool-pidgeons") derive from Mouche.
*Phoebus: Greek God of light. In this line, when the sun is descending and Winter begins.