Red Rain 



went up and down, here and there, through the fields, they found 

 many drops upon stones and rocks; but they were only on the 

 hollow and under parts of the stones, but not upon those which 

 lay most open to the skies.' 



" This memorable shower of blood was produced by the Va- 

 nessa urticcB or V. polycbloros, most probably, since these spe- 

 cies of butterflies are said to have been uncommonly plentiful at 

 *he time when, and in the particular district where, the phenom- 

 enon was observed." 



Frank Cowan, Curious History of Insects. 



FOR A DESIGN OF A BUTTERFLY RESTING ON A SKULL 



" Creature of air and light, 

 Emblem of that which may not fade or die, 



Wilt thou not speed thy flight, 

 To chase the south wind through the glowing sky? 



What lures thee thus to stay, 



With Silence and Decay, 

 Fix'd on the wreck of cold Mortality ? 



" The thoughts once chamber'd there 

 Have gather'd up their treasures, and are gone — 



Will the dust tell us where 

 They that have burst the prison-house are flown ? 

 Rise, nursling of the day, 

 If thou wouldst trace their way- 

 Earth hath no voice to make the secret known. 



" Who seeks the vanish'd bird 

 By the forsaken nest and broken shell ? — 



Far thence he sings unheard, 

 Yet free and joyous in the woods to dwell. 

 Thou of the sunshine born, 

 Take the bright wings of morn ! 

 Thy hope calls heavenward from yon ruin'd cell." 



Mrs. Hemans. 



303 



