INTRODUCTION. XXxi 
reign of love. So that, in this view of the subject, 
well might the Italian poet exclaim,— 
Non v’accorgete voi, che noi siam vermi, 
Nati a formar l’angelica farfalla ?”* 
These ideas are beautifully developed in the fol- 
lowing little poem, in which the progress of the 
insect is correctly depicted :— 
THE BUTTERFLY S BIRTHDAY. 
Tue shades of night were scarcely fled, 
The air was mild, the winds were still, 
And slow the slanting sunbeams spread 
O’er wood and lawn, o’er heath and hill. 
From fleecy clouds of pearly hue 
Had dropt a short but balmy shower, 
That hung like gems of morning dew 
On every tree and every flower. 
And from tho blackbird’s mellow throat 
Was pour’d so loud and long a swell, 
As echo’d with responsive note 
From mountain side and shadowy dell. 
When, bursting forth to life and light, 
The offspring of enraptured May, 
The Burrerr.y, on pinions bright, 
Lanch’d in full splendour on the day. 
* Do you not perceive that we are caterpillars, born to form the an- 
gelic butterfly? 
