Summary

The poem begins by speaking directly to a grasshopper. It is shown eating from an oat stalk and drinking the dew that drops from “heaven” (4). The grasshopper is able to enjoy the pleasures of both earth and air, since it has feet to “hop” and wings to “fly” (6). The grasshopper sleeps in an acorn at the end of the day, and rises again with the sun. All day long, it enjoys the pleasures of the outdoors. Unfortunately, the harvest comes, and the ears of grain are cut down. Ceres and Bacchus, gods of the harvest, depart for the season, and the plants shrivel up for the winter.

The speaker then turns to addressing his friend. In spite of the cold of winter, he says, they can create “a genuine summer in each other’s breast” (18). Like the vestal flames dedicated to the goddess Hestia...