SILK -WORM POETRY 133 



In Spring our trees the Caterpillei*s reare ; 

 Their trees likewise these noble creatures beare. 

 And some proceed from eggs that scaped are 

 From their enemies sight, which thing is rare. 

 They feed not only on the Mulberry 

 Which in our World sole food is held to be 

 For all such precious Worms of that degree: 

 But Poplar, Plum, Crab, Oake, and Apple tree, 

 Yea Cherry, and tree called Pohickery: 

 So on the Shrubs and Bushes feed full many 

 Her Worms are huge whose bottoms dare 

 With Lemmons of the largest size compare." 



The grand conclusion of the book disports in human 

 worms : 



"HOMO VERMIS 



Wee all are creeping Worms of th' earth, 

 Some are Silk -Worms great by birth, 

 Glow- Worms some that shine by night, 

 Slow-Worms others, apt to bite, 

 Some are Muck-Worms, slaves to wealth, 

 Maw-Worms some that wrong the health, 

 Some to the publique no good willers, 

 Cancker-Worms and Cater- pillers; 

 Found about the earth wee'r crawling, 

 For a sorry life wee'r sprawling, 

 Putrid stuff we suck, it fills us, 

 Death then sets his foot and kills us." 



The details of the early silk experiments are so 

 many that we cannot follow them further with profit, 

 but some of the leading events must be noted. 

 James I. attempted to compel the London Company 

 to grow silk in Virginia. The Company imposed "a 

 fine of ten pounds of tobacco upon every planter who 

 did not cultivate at least ton mulberry trees for every 



