3.3 To a Butterfly

STAY near me -do not take thy flight!

 A little longer stay in sight!

 Much converse do I find in thee,

 Historian of my infancy!

 Float near me; do not yet depart!

 Dead times revive in thee:

 Thou bring’st, gay creature as thou art!

 A solemn image to my heart,

 My father’s family !

 Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days,

 The time, when, in our childish plays,

 My sister Emmeline and I

 Together chased the butterfly!

 A very hunter did I rush

 Upon the prey-with leaps and springs In

 followed on from brake to bush;

 But she, God love her, feared to brush

 The dust from off its wings.

– William Wordsworth