XII - To a Butterfly

  I've watch'd you now a full half hour,
  Self-pois'd upon that yellow flower;
  And, little Butterfly! indeed
  I know not if you sleep, or feed.
  How motionless! not frozen seas
  More motionless! and then
  What joy awaits you, when the breeze
  Hath found you out among the trees,
      And calls you forth again!



  This plot of Orchard-ground is ours;                     10
  My trees they are, my Sister's flowers;
  Stop here whenever you are weary,
  And rest as in a sanctuary!
  Come often to us, fear no wrong;
  Sit near us on the bough!
  We'll talk of sunshine and of song;
  And summer days, when we were young,
  Sweet childish days, that were as long
      As twenty days are now!