A lost gold pin was trying to convince a nail if its importance. Nail pointed out the pin could be done without but without the nail things fall apart.
Jefferys Taylor
ONE day as a lady was dressing in haste,
By a jerk of her hand a gold pin was displaced,
Which falling unseen and unheard to the floor,
Quickly enter’d a crevice, to issue no more.
“Alas! what a sudden reverse!” thought the pin,
“But a moment before what request I was in;
O! how many attentions I used to engage,
But unnoticed I here may remain for an age.”
“Unnoticed!” said one, who had heard the remark;
“Why, I’ve been fix’d here ninety years in the dark,
Unseen and forgotten, and yet, I can say,
That I never once wish’d they would shorten my stay.
“And, pray,” said the pin, “who are you by my side?”
“A tenpenny nail, Sir,” the other replied;
“O, indeed!” said the pin, “well, for persons like you
1 think, such a residence really may do.”
“Very true,” said the nail, “and I ne’er was ambitious
Of spheres more extended, or views more propitious;
I’m content this old board still to hold to the rafter,
For ninety years more, and a century after.”
“Dear! what a contemptible taste,” said the pin;
“Oh! if in my place for one day you had been,
This deplorable dungeon, I’m certain, would be
As disgusting and horrid to you, as to me.
For while in this dusty old crack you have tarried,
To Paris, and Brighton, and Bath, I’ve been carried.
There used in assemblies of fashion to mix
With muslins, instead of oak-boards to transfix.”
“But, my friend,” said the nail, “it appears beyond doubt
That your owner can manage your presence without;
But if I should my trust for one moment betray,
Then the board, that she stands on, must quickly give way,
And if so, I would ask those who foolishly rail,
Which does the most service, the pin or the nail.”
