THE MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES 



wings are dotted with white and the front wings 

 bear a pretty pattern of white spots. The queen 

 is immune from the attacks of birds both as a 

 caterpillar and a butterfly. Imitation is the sin- 

 cerest flattery, and the obsequious vice-reine finds 

 the brown wings of the queen quite as admirable 

 in Florida as does the viceroy the bright orange 

 of the monarch farther north. 



A glimmering plain in drowsy trance 



The dim horizon bounds, 

 Where all the air is resonant 



With sleepy summer sounds — 

 The life that sings among the flowers. 



The lisping of the breeze, 

 The hot cicada's sultry cry, 



The murmurous dream of bees. 



The butterfly — a flying flower — 



Wheels swift in flashing rings, 

 And flutters round his quiet kin, 



With brave flame-mottled wings. 



John Hay. 



209 



