*T Henry, [As on a summers fervid day] (fly)
*U Poem http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/henry/writing/poetry/fly.htm
*U Grammar http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/henry/xmasresearch/grammarhenry.htm#fly
*U Search http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/henry/xmasresearch/searchablehenryspoems.htm#fly
*C MSS p 52-3, 1787, PJ 15 Aug 1787, by R 


As on a summer's fervid day
The youthful Delia slumb'ring lay,
A thousand Cupids fluttered round
The guardians of the hallow'd ground.
Some clustered in her auburn hair
To keep the ringlets wreathed there;
While others form'd a canopy
With wing in wing enlocked on high,
To ward each stragling solar ray
That thro the foliage found a way.
Another party took her breath
Replete with sweetness and with health,
To aid the elegant perfume
Of every charming flow'r in bloom.
But luckless girl! her snow-white breast
Which the inverted shawl confest,
A fly of taste had fondly chose
Whereon to riot or repose:
Him, a young sentinel espy'd,
And as his bow he bent he cry'd,
"Go sacrilegious caitif go
To writhe with plund'ring Gnats below."
The winged shaft as lightning flew
And pierced the hapless insect thro,
But stop'd not there - Roused by the smart
Poor Delia found it in her heart.