182 CKrELTY TO INSECTS REPROVED. 



tunate, as a blue-bottle fly of a warm summer's 

 day." * 



The wanton cruelty too often exercised towards 

 flies, is unfortunately a circumstance of common oc- 

 currence, and as such, must have fallen under the 

 notice of Shakspeare. Accordingly, we find in 

 " King Lear," that Gloster utters the reflection, 



" As flies to wanton boys, are we to the Gods ; 

 They kill us for their sport." — Act IV. Sc. I. 



The ease with which this is effected, is implied in 

 " As You Like It," by the phrase, " by this hand it 

 will not kiU a fly." (Act IV. Sc. I.) In "Titus 

 Andronicus," we find that the killing of a fly is not 

 merely mentioned, but is reprehended in very decided 

 terms. When Titus and Marcus are seated together 

 at a banquet, the former inquires, — 



" Tifi/s. — What dost thou strike at, Marcus, with thy knife ? 



Marcus. — At that that I have killed, my lord, — a fly. 



Tifus. — Out on thee, murderer I thou killest mine heart ; 

 Mine eyes are cloy'd with view of tyranny. 

 A deed of death done on tlie innocent. 

 Becomes not Titus' brother. Get thee g'one; 

 I see thou art not for my company. 



Marcus. — Alas ! my lord, I have but killed a fly. 



Tidts. — But liow, if that fly had a father and mother. 

 How would he hang his slender, gilded wings, 

 And buz lamenting doings in the air? 

 Poor, harmless fly I — Act III. Sc. II. 



Although the fly having " a father and mother," 

 * Sketch Book, vol. i. p. 319, third ed. 



