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POEMS BY CLARA A. MERRILL
THE CAPTIVE BUTTERFLY
(A true tale)
One morn as I walked in the meadow Where flooded the sun's golden light Athwart tree and shrub—mid the grasses A butterfly gorgeous and bright
Was caught in a web which a spider Had deftly and craftily wrought; Aloft as a snare she had placed it And the unwary butterfly caught.
Vainly the poor insect fluttered To be freed from the web's fleecy fold; But its wings were caught fast in its meshes And its fate could be plainly foretold.
It appealed to my heart so pathetic Ne'er thought I to ignore its strife It was one of God's own little creatures And it had a good right to its life.
