Playing with school-boys once at taw,
The man with laughter shook his sides;
Esop the laugher thus derides:
"Of this slack bow before you laid,
The meaning, sprightly Sir," he said,
"Explain!" (A crowd had gather'd round.)
Surpris'd, the man no answer found:
He puzzled long, but all his wit
Could on no explanation hit.
The laugh on Esop's side; says he,
"Why you this bow unbended see,
It is because it needs must break,
If always bent; so we must take
Due relaxation, that the mind
Its vigour may when wanted find."
He who in harmless sport employs
A vacant hour, is not unwise.
Source: Boothby - Phaedrus 3.13.
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M0885 Perry505
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