I beheld the caterpillar iffuing from it’s egg, on the very plant
needful for it’s fupport:
For there the parent fly bad placed it, that it might have
whereon to feed.
It enjoys the repaft, it weaveth its web, and, preparing for it’s
end, buildeth itfelf a rich tomb.
It refteth from it’s labours, and fleepeth the fleep o f death.
At the appointed time it is-raifed again, and the great Creator
o f all things giveth it a new life.
It leaveth it s afhes in the tomb, and afcends, with a metre
beauteous form, into the regions o f the air.
How glorious are it’s wings! and it’s limbs how delicate!
It is covered with a rich plumage; and ' furnifhed with
myriads o f eyes, to behold all around.
With it s trunk it furpaffeth the art o f the chymift, and extra£l-
eth from flowers the molt delicious fweets.
*
It forfakes the leaf whereon it was firft nouriflied, rejoicing in
the bounty o f it’s Maker,
But, at his command, it is mindful o f it’$ offspring, and provides
for the fafety and fuftenance thereof, 6 With
With anxious care it feeketh out the plant which God hath
given for it’s infant worms.
Though it feedeth not thereon, neither careth for the verdant
leaves, yet is it led with unerring fearch, and never faileth in it’s-
choice.
It curipufly fpreadeth forth it’s eggs; and without thought, ful-
filleth it’s appointed talk.
The bee juft raifed to life, without ateaeher Ikilfully forms her
cell.
The fage’s art is known to h e r : fhe has difeovered the moffi
capacious form, and the beft divifipn o f fpace.
Without fcale or eompafs Ihe nicely mealureth her work, and;
with great care ftrengtheneth it’s foundations.
She layeth her foundations in the upper part; Ihe buildeth'
downwards, even unto the ground; and exquifitely finifheth her
work, furpafling the art o f man.
Behold ! we perceive as yet but a fmall portion o f his works;
we fee the operations of his hands as- through a glals darkly
yet how excellent do- they appear!” *
* Hymns to the Supreme Being, in Imitation of the Eaftern-Songs.
F I N I S.