Flies : " The Hosts of Achor" 2 2 1 



useful creature. But what is meant by the reproach is, that 

 he is of a bloated, squat, and objectionable appearance, 

 unsociable, holekeeping. Well, even I do not think (in spite 

 of what those who have kept toads as pets have to say) these 

 creatures delectable in person and I know persons who 

 look very like toads, just as one knows people with profiles 

 like sheep, horses, baboons, and so forth. But I certainly 

 should not flatter any toad-resembling person if I found him 

 stupid, or irritable, lazy, or mischievous, by saying he was a 

 " regular toad." 



However, all this by way of digression, a " spontaneous 

 combustion ; " and to return to the original fact, which is, 

 that poets, as a class, are of the opposite way of thinking ; 

 and that when they detect a resemblance between a human 

 act and an insect one, they transfer to the latter all the rest 

 of the former's weaknesses, failings, and vices. 



In direct association with man, the most familiar one is 

 the fly that will not let you sleep. "I fain had slept but 

 flies would buzz around " is not very poetical, but it is a very 

 truthful incident. Another is that which gets into the wine 

 you are drinking, and finds a Duke-of-Clarence death therein. 

 Whence Quarles has this moral 



" The sun-delighting fly repairs at first 

 To the full cup ; only to quench her thirst. 

 But oftentimes she sports about the brink, 

 And sips so long till she be drowned in drink. 

 When wanton leisure shall present thine eye 

 With lavish cups : Remember but the fly." 



And then there is the bluebottle that bangs into your room 

 on sultry afternoons and bangs out again a theme to which 

 the faithful Hurdis rises : 



" At the door 



Enters the flesh-fly, and with cheerful hum 

 Travels the house interior : on the pane 

 Thumps he and buzzes ; the resounding hall 

 Travels again ; and with a bounce departs : 



