The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse (1735-1820): Edited by the Rev. R. I. Woodhouse |
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THE BOY AND BUTTERFLY.
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 | The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse |  |
192
THE BOY AND BUTTERFLY.
A FABLE.
Wak'd by the summer sun's enlivening ray,
A splendid Moth emerg'd to share the day,
Rang'd round the lawns, and flutter'd thro' the bow'rs—
Sipp'd the clear streams, and suck'd the honey'd flow'rs—
Till, tir'd with wanton sport, she stoop'd to rest
Upon a downy Nettle's traitorous breast.
A splendid Moth emerg'd to share the day,
Rang'd round the lawns, and flutter'd thro' the bow'rs—
Sipp'd the clear streams, and suck'd the honey'd flow'rs—
Till, tir'd with wanton sport, she stoop'd to rest
Upon a downy Nettle's traitorous breast.
The gay Coquette a giddy Stripling view'd,
And, ardently, from flow'r to flow'r pursued—
With transport saw the prostrate Beauty lie,
In radiant charms, before his ravish'd eye;
When, rushing, eager, the glad prize to gain,
Mid fancied pleasure found a lasting pain.
And, ardently, from flow'r to flow'r pursued—
With transport saw the prostrate Beauty lie,
In radiant charms, before his ravish'd eye;
When, rushing, eager, the glad prize to gain,
Mid fancied pleasure found a lasting pain.
Thus Vice displays her fascinating charms,
Fond Youth deluding to her fatal arms—
Leads on, a while, the tantalizing race,
Still offering rapture in the bold embrace;
Concealing, like the Moth's embroider'd wing,
The poisonous Nettle's deleterious sting.
Fond Youth deluding to her fatal arms—
Leads on, a while, the tantalizing race,
Still offering rapture in the bold embrace;
Concealing, like the Moth's embroider'd wing,
The poisonous Nettle's deleterious sting.
| The Life and Poetical Works of James Woodhouse | |