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80
TO A YELLOW BUTTERFLY.
APRIL 8, 1808.
Hail! loveliest insect of the spring!
Gay, careless, buoyant flutterer, hail!
High soaring on thy downy wing,
Or sporting in the sunny vale!
Gay, careless, buoyant flutterer, hail!
High soaring on thy downy wing,
Or sporting in the sunny vale!
Oh! lovely is thy airy form,
That wears the primrose hue so fair,
It seems as if some passing storm
Had rais'd the beauteous flower in air.
That wears the primrose hue so fair,
It seems as if some passing storm
Had rais'd the beauteous flower in air.
81
Far different from the spotted race,
That sultry June's bright suns unfold;
That seek in her fair flowers, their place,
And proud display their wings of gold.
That sultry June's bright suns unfold;
That seek in her fair flowers, their place,
And proud display their wings of gold.
For brilliant is their varying dye,
And, basking in the fervid ray,
They in the new-blown roses lie,
Or round the gay carnation play.
And, basking in the fervid ray,
They in the new-blown roses lie,
Or round the gay carnation play.
But thou, with April's modest flower,
Her violet sweet of snowy hue,
Tranquil shalt pass the noon-tide hour,
And sip content the evening dew.
Her violet sweet of snowy hue,
Tranquil shalt pass the noon-tide hour,
And sip content the evening dew.
Oh! may no frosts thy beauties chill!
No storms thy little frame destroy!
But, sporting gay beside the rill,
May'st thou thy transient life enjoy!
No storms thy little frame destroy!
But, sporting gay beside the rill,
May'st thou thy transient life enjoy!
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