The Project Gutenberg eBook ofThe Butterflys' Ball

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofThe Butterflys' BallThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: The Butterflys' BallAuthor: AnonymousRelease date: September 24, 2011 [eBook #37518]Most recently updated: January 8, 2021Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Larry B. Harrison, and the Archives and SpecialCollections, University Libraries, Ball State Universityand the Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttps://www.pgdp.net*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BUTTERFLYS' BALL ***

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: The Butterflys' BallAuthor: AnonymousRelease date: September 24, 2011 [eBook #37518]Most recently updated: January 8, 2021Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Larry B. Harrison, and the Archives and SpecialCollections, University Libraries, Ball State Universityand the Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttps://www.pgdp.net

Title: The Butterflys' Ball

Author: Anonymous

Author: Anonymous

Release date: September 24, 2011 [eBook #37518]Most recently updated: January 8, 2021

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Larry B. Harrison, and the Archives and SpecialCollections, University Libraries, Ball State Universityand the Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttps://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BUTTERFLYS' BALL ***

Book Cover

Butterfly and friends

The Butterfly, once, with the Grasshopper gay,A grand party gave in the middle of May;So, dear little readers, I'll tell you of allThe guests who were asked to the feast and the ball.The Gnat was invited, the Dragonfly, too,And all his relations, green, orange, and blue;The Wasp, and Cockchafer, the Beetle and Bee;The stoutly-made Mole, and the Emmet so wee;

The Butterfly, once, with the Grasshopper gay,A grand party gave in the middle of May;So, dear little readers, I'll tell you of allThe guests who were asked to the feast and the ball.The Gnat was invited, the Dragonfly, too,And all his relations, green, orange, and blue;The Wasp, and Cockchafer, the Beetle and Bee;The stoutly-made Mole, and the Emmet so wee;

Butterfly and friends

The Dormouse, and Snail, with a host more, were thereBut their names I can't tell you, I really declare.The Trumpeter Gadfly (who summoned the crew)Bade them all come at six, and to time, said, be true:In answer to which, they with pleasure replied,That they'd surely be there at the time specified.In the very best manner (without the least doubt)The kind-hearted hosts the grand banquet spread out,

The Dormouse, and Snail, with a host more, were thereBut their names I can't tell you, I really declare.The Trumpeter Gadfly (who summoned the crew)Bade them all come at six, and to time, said, be true:In answer to which, they with pleasure replied,That they'd surely be there at the time specified.In the very best manner (without the least doubt)The kind-hearted hosts the grand banquet spread out,

Butterfly and friends

Beneath an oak tree, which for ages had stood,In beauty and pride in the midst of a wood.A mushroom grew there, which a nice table made,And a waterdock-leaf for the cloth was soon laid.When the moment arrived, ready waiting were theyTo welcome their friends in the heartiest way;The first to arrive was the Beetle so black,Who carried the Emmet, his friend, on his back;

Beneath an oak tree, which for ages had stood,In beauty and pride in the midst of a wood.A mushroom grew there, which a nice table made,And a waterdock-leaf for the cloth was soon laid.When the moment arrived, ready waiting were theyTo welcome their friends in the heartiest way;The first to arrive was the Beetle so black,Who carried the Emmet, his friend, on his back;

Butterfly and friends

The Gnat and the Dragonfly next did each bringHis friends; then the Wasp came, without his sharp sting.The Cockchafer hummed, as he journeyed along,Some songs he intended to sing to the throng.The sly little Dormouse peeped out of his hole,And led to the feast his blind cousin, the Mole.In fact they all came, as they promised to do,In the picture before you, so plain to the view.

The Gnat and the Dragonfly next did each bringHis friends; then the Wasp came, without his sharp sting.The Cockchafer hummed, as he journeyed along,Some songs he intended to sing to the throng.The sly little Dormouse peeped out of his hole,And led to the feast his blind cousin, the Mole.In fact they all came, as they promised to do,In the picture before you, so plain to the view.

Butterfly and friends

The viands were various; delighted were they;Some honey the Bee brought, to honor the day.Said he, "My dear friends, I am far behind time,But,WORK BEFORE PLAY, is a maxim of mine."The feast now commenced, they ate and they talkedOf the news of the day, and the distance they'd walkedWhen the banquet was finished, they said one and all,That Gaffer Grasshopper must open the ball;

The viands were various; delighted were they;Some honey the Bee brought, to honor the day.Said he, "My dear friends, I am far behind time,But,WORK BEFORE PLAY, is a maxim of mine."The feast now commenced, they ate and they talkedOf the news of the day, and the distance they'd walkedWhen the banquet was finished, they said one and all,That Gaffer Grasshopper must open the ball;

Butterfly and friends

Behold him then, bowing politely, advanceTo ask Madam Butterfly with him to dance.The dancing began, each a partner had got,Excepting the Snail, who said, dance she could not,For, fatigued with the distance the length of an ell,She said she must sleep in her own little shell.The party was merry,—and well it might be—For the Cockchafer sang, and a soft voice had he:

Behold him then, bowing politely, advanceTo ask Madam Butterfly with him to dance.The dancing began, each a partner had got,Excepting the Snail, who said, dance she could not,For, fatigued with the distance the length of an ell,She said she must sleep in her own little shell.The party was merry,—and well it might be—For the Cockchafer sang, and a soft voice had he:

Butterfly and friends

The name of the song I've forgotten completely,And also the words, but they sounded most sweetly.The company, charmed, entreated another,And he favored them, gladly, with "Jack and his brother;"When ended the song, (it was loudly applauded,)The dance, for a time, again pleasure afforded,'Till slily came on the dark shadows of night,And the Watchmen, the Glowworms, each showed his bright light;

The name of the song I've forgotten completely,And also the words, but they sounded most sweetly.The company, charmed, entreated another,And he favored them, gladly, with "Jack and his brother;"When ended the song, (it was loudly applauded,)The dance, for a time, again pleasure afforded,'Till slily came on the dark shadows of night,And the Watchmen, the Glowworms, each showed his bright light;

Butterfly and friends

By the aid of their lanterns, each safely reached home;For some from a very great distance had come.Recollect, little readers, the saying is true,And I think, when you read it, you'll all say so too:That "Early to bed and early to riseMake all become healthy, wealthy and wise."

By the aid of their lanterns, each safely reached home;For some from a very great distance had come.Recollect, little readers, the saying is true,And I think, when you read it, you'll all say so too:That "Early to bed and early to riseMake all become healthy, wealthy and wise."


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