Malicious insect, little vengeful bee, With venom-sting thou'rt whirling round and round A harmless head that ne'er meant wrong to thee, And friendship's hand it is thou'dst wish to wound:...
Thrice welcome here again, thou flutt'ring thing, That gaily seek'st about the opening flower, And opest and shutt'st thy gaudy-spangled wing Upon its bosom in the sunny hour;...
Sweet bottle-shaped flower of lushy red, Born when the summer wakes her warmest breeze, Among the meadow's waving grasses spread, Or 'neath the shade of hedge or clumping trees,...
Lovely insect, haste away, Greet once more the sunny day; Leave, O leave the murky barn, Ere trapping spiders thee discern; Soon as seen, they will beset Thy golden wings with filmy net,...
These children of the sun which summer brings As pastoral minstrels in her merry train Pipe rustic ballads upon busy wings And glad the cotters' quiet toils again....