University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Conversations introducing poetry

chiefly on subjects of natural history. For the use of children and young persons. By Charlotte Smith
Smith, Charlotte Turner (1749-1806)
  
[epigraph]

collapse sectionI. 
VOLUME I.
collapse section1. 
CONVERSATION THE FIRST.
  
TO A GREEN-CHAFER, ON A WHITE ROSE.
  
TO THE LADY-BIRD.
  
[Queen of fragrance, lovely Rose]
  
THE SNAIL.
  
A WALK BY THE WATER.
  
INVITATION TO THE BEE.
collapse section2. 
CONVERSATION THE SECOND.
  
THE HEDGE-HOG SEEN IN A FREQUENTED PATH.
  
THE EARLY BUTTERFLY.
  
THE MOTH.
  
THE GLOW-WORM.
  
THE MIMOSA.
  
THE DORMOUSE JUST TAKEN.
collapse section3. 
CONVERSATION THE THIRD.
collapse section1. 
[FIRST PART]
  
VIOLETS.
  
TO THE SNOW-DROP.
  
THE HUMBLE BEE.
collapse section2. 
SECOND PART.
  
THE GRASSHOPPER.
  
THE SQUIRREL.
  
THE GLOW-WORM.
collapse section4. 
CONVERSATION THE FOURTH.
  
TO A BUTTERFLY IN A WINDOW.
  
WILD FLOWERS.
  
THE HOT-HOUSE ROSE.
collapse section5. 
CONVERSATION THE FIFTH.
  
THE ROBIN'S PETITION.
  
THE CAPTIVE FLY.
  
THE CRICKET.
  
THE CLOSE OF SUMMER.
collapse sectionII. 
VOLUME II.
collapse section6. 
CONVERSATION THE SIXTH.
  
SONNET TO THE INSECT OF THE GOSSAMER.
  
THE NAUTILUS.
  
THE WHEAT-EAR.
  
AN EVENING WALK BY THE SEA SIDE.
collapse section7. 
CONVERSATION THE SEVENTH.
  
THE HUMMING BIRD.
  
THE HEATH.
  
ODE TO THE MISSEL THRUSH
  
ODE TO THE OLIVE TREE.
collapse section8. 
CONVERSATION THE EIGHTH.
  
ON SCARING SOME WATER-FOWL IN LOCH TURIT.
  
TO THE FIRE-FLY OF JAMAICA,
  
VERSES WRITTEN IN EARLY SPRING.
  
LINES COMPOSED IN PASSING THRO' A FOREST IN GERMANY.
  
TO A GERANIUM WHICH FLOWERED DURING THE WINTER.
collapse section9. 
CONVERSATION THE NINTH.
  
TO THE MULBERRY-TREE.
  
THE CANKERED ROSE.

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section Conversations introducing poetry
next section
8

SONNET TO THE INSECT OF THE GOSSAMER.

Small, viewless aeronaut, that by the line
Of Gossamer suspended, in mid air
Float'st on a sun-beam—Living atom, where
9

Ends thy breeze-guided voyage? With what design
In æther dost thou launch thy form minute,
Mocking the eye? Alas! before the veil
Of denser clouds shall hide thee, the pursuit
Of the keen Swift may end thy fairy sail!
Thus on the golden thread that Fancy weaves
Buoyant, as Hope's illusive flattery breathes,
The young and visionary Poet leaves
Life's dull realities, while sevenfold wreaths
Of rainbow light around his head revolve.
Ah! soon at Sorrow's touch the radiant dreams dissolve.
previous section Conversations introducing poetry
next section