Page 48 - Poetry-Animals
P. 48
The Boastful Butterfly
Upon the temple dome
Of Solomon the wise
There paused, returning home,
A pair of butterflies.
He did the quite blasé
(Did it rather badly),
Wherefore, —need I say?
She adored him madly.
Enthusiasm she
Did not attempt to curb:
“Goodness gracious me!
Isn’t this superb!”
He vouchsafed a smile
To indulge her whimsy,
Surveyed the lofty pile,
And drawled, “Not bad—but flimsy!
“Appearances, though fine,
Lead to false deduction;
This temple, I opine,
Is shaky in construction.
“Think of it, my dear.
All this glittering show
Would crumble—disappear
Should I but stamp my toe!
“If I should stamp—like this—”
His wife cried, “Heavens! don’t!”
He answered, with a kiss,
“Very well; I won’t.”
Now, every blessed word
Said by these butterflies,
It chanced, was overheard
By Solomon the wise.
~ 46 ~
