human
Can you write me a poem about butterfly, sphinx and mother in the style of James Hannay?
assistant
Sure, here's a poem about butterfly, sphinx and mother in the style of James Hannay:
  As the _Emperor Moth_ sat one evening in May,
Fanned by numberless wings in the moon's silver ray,
While around him the zephyrs breathed sweetest perfume,
Thus he spoke to his dwarf with the _Ragged white plume_:
"That vain Butterfly's Ball, I hear, was most splendid,
And, as the world says, very fully attended,
Though she never asked us, but assigned as a cause,
We were all much too heavy to gallope and waltz.
What impertinence this, want of grace to ascribe
To the Lord of the whole Lepidopterous tribe;
I too'll give a ball, and such folks to chastise,
I'll not be at home to these pert butterflies.
Bid the _Empress_ come hither, and we'll talk about
What arrangements to make for a capital rout."
The Empress obeyed her lord's summons with speed,
And proceeded her visiting tablets to read,
That those of her subjects, whose homage was booked
In that coveted record, might not be o'erlooked.
Then the _Bufftip_ began to write each moth a card,
Having one for herself just by way of reward.
"First ask," says the Emperor, "the _Glory of Kent_,
On having much beauty my mind is quite bent;
The _Belle_, too, _of Brixton_, the _Marvel du Jour_,
And the _Peach-blossom_ moth you'll invite, I am sure;
The _Sphinx_ too, shall come, who makes riddles so well,
And the _Gipsey_ be ready our fortunes to tell;
_Mother Shipton_ shall chap'rone the lovely _Black I_,
And those awkward Greek girls, _Lambda_, _Gamma_,
_Hebrew Character_, too, who for routs has a passion;
And I'll ask Mrs. _Gothic_, though she's out of fashion,
For I love my old friends, and had rather that they
Should partake of our feast, than the idle and gay,
Who flutter about without object or reason,
Just live for an hour, and last but a season."
How little, alas! do great moths bear in mind,
That their tenure of life is of just the same kind.
"You're right," said the Empress, "and truly 'twere shabby,
T'exclude from our party poor old Mrs. _Tabby_,
And the _Rustics_ I'll ask, though not one has a gown
In which to appear, save of black, grey, or brown;
And some of them go, too, so feathered and flounced,
That the _Coxcomb_ called _Prominent_, on them pronounced
A sentence of censure, quite just, but so tart,
That I felt, when I heard it, quite cut to the heart.
But now to proceed, Sire, the _Leopard_ I vote,
Be razed from our list, with that ugly old _Goat_,
Who in youth made such terrible use of his jaws,
That I dread, I confess, e'en the sight of his claws;
And as to his muscles, 'tis said that when counted,
To four thousand and just forty-one they amounted;
Of Musk too, I'm told, he sheds such perfume,
That wherever he goes, he fills the whole room.
Exclude him we will, with the old _Dromedary_,
The _Elephant_ cunning, and _Fox_ too, so wary,
That though I don't know it for certain, I'm told
They cheat at Ecarté, like Hermes of old.
The _Ghost_ and _Death's head_, and that terrible host,
Would but scare all the guests"--Here the Emperor lost,
For a moment, his patience, and cried to his spouse,
"If thus you proceed, ma'am, my anger you'll rouse.
A figure of death, or his cross-bones at least,
To remind all our guests of the limited span
That to moths is allotted, as well as to man,
And how e'en in the midst of enjoyment's gay hour,
We are still in death's stern and inflexible power.
So let them have cards, and I'll go and prepare
For receiving our friends, the best possible fare."
The Monarch then went with the _Eyed Hawk_, his scout,
To search for a spot fit for giving his rout;
A green ring he found, the work of a fairy,
And thinking it looked both commodious and airy,
He called to him _Brimstone_ to measure the ground,
For another _Geometra_ could not be found;
Of this workman he knew the correctness full well,
What he wrought was as nice as if done by a spell.
The spot was judged proper, and erected in haste
Were some well fashioned rooms, which displayed his good taste.
_Carpet Moths_ were appointed to stencil the floor,
The _Clothes Moths_ with gossamer covered the door;
_Mahogany_ and _Wainscot_ were neither deficient
In offering their aid, which proved most efficient,
While _Veneers_, both rosy and yellow, were able
T'improve, by their help, the decayed supper table.
For the crockery, _China Mark_ promised to strive,
And _Galleria_ offered to steal from a hive,
Profusion of honey; _Pinguinalis_ brought butter,
And with wax _Cereana_ came all in a flutter.
These presents the Emperor gladly accepted,
Save Galleria's theft, which with scorn was rejected,
So little do moths of great minds patronise
The base who by fraud or extortion would rise.
In the mean time the Empress her _Swifts_ had sent out
To deliver the cards for this elegant rout.
_Puss_ sent an excuse, with the _Kitten_ engaged,
And the _Eggar_, poor lady, was highly enraged
That her numerous offspring requiring her care,
Prevented her joining a party so rare.
The _Black Raven Feather_, and sweet _Angle Shades_,
Had promised that day with the _Tussock_ to dine,
A lady of fashion, whose hour was nine;
But when they received their dread sovereign's command,
They yielded to custom's imperious demand,
For moths with us mortals in this do agree,
That all parties must bow to a monarch's decree.
Lady _Lappet_ being ill, the _Poplar Lutestring_
The two Misses _Nonpareil_ promised to bring;
And the _Spectacle Moth_, too near sighted to go,
Sent his ward the _Bright Eye_, with the _Flame Furbelow_,
Whose young lover, the beautiful, brave _Unicorn_,
Had been shot in a duel with the _Red Striped Hawthorn_.
Not quite fit to appear, the gallant _Swallow Tail_
At the doctors with anger continued to rail,
He having been lamed by the awkward _Bulrush_,
To the serious alarm of the fair _Maiden's Blush_.
The day now arrived, and at nine of the night,
The glow-worm being hired the highways to light,
The guests 'gan to assemble, and each was announced
By the _Herald_, who loudly their names all pronounced.
The _Ermine_, a lady of noble degree,
Introduced a long train of her large family;
Some in _Muslin_, some _Satin_, were chastely arrayed,
displayed
Unnoticed was suffered the evening to pass.
From the banks of the Niger the _Blackamoor_ brought
A fat _Moor_, who presented a _Tyger_ just caught;
An old _Gentlewoman_ had promised to bring
A musical Miss, who divinely could sing,
But whose fair head, no larger than that of a _Dot_,
Was filled with the thought of a _True Lover's Knot_;
So she hem'd and she ha'd, then unblushingly told,
How she caught as she came a most violent cold,
And felt such oppression and pain in her throat,
That she scarcely dared venture to utter a note;
And thus with most Misses of human creation,
How often their colds are but mere affectation.
The dancing began, and soft music was heard,
Provided, 'twas said, by the sweet _Humming Bird_.
Old Colonel _Gold Spangle_, his dancing days past,
Volunteered with good humour the dances to cast;
To the forward Miss _Portland_ Captain _Christian_ he brought,
Who, aided by Mars, the young lady had caught,
For moths, like their betters, as I have been told,
Are mightily taken with scarlet and gold.
The _Foresters_ danced, arrayed all in green,
With the _Clear Wings_, whose beauty gave life to the scene;
The _Mouse_, quite enamoured, entreated in vain
The hand of the lovely _Pease Blossom_ to gain,
And the _Satellite_, though he till now had sat still,
Made up to the _Seraph_ to dance a quadrille.
The _Quakers_, who ne'er had been seen at a ball,
With the _Coronets_ galloped around the great hall,
And the sad _Mourning Widow_, her weeds put away,
While the _Magpie_ obtained universal applause,
By fluttering a hornpipe upon his hind claws.
The _Vapourer_ came not, but he was no loss,
For wherever he went he was stupid and cross;
And his wife, an old dowdy, bereft of all wings,
Was unfit to appear as th' associate of Kings;
The _Dagger_ came armed, and looked all around,
But his charmer, Miss _Snout_, was no where to be found,
For she had not been asked, and the _Figure of Eight_,
With his cousin, the _Sprawler_, joined the party so late,
That morn was forth peeping, and the dancing had done,
When _Spring Usher_ announced the young beautiful _Nun_.
The _Gnomana_ now indexed the hour of four,
The guests were assembled around the great door,
Which the _Lacqueys_ threw open, and each in his rank
Found a seat for himself, and they all ate and drank
With a relish that would not disgrace the Guildhall,
(To compare for a moment such great things with small,)
Where London's Lord Mayor and his Aldermen deign
To feast upon turtle, and tipple champagne.
Old _Drinker_, the butler, of wine served the best,
And a _Footman_ was placed at the chair of each guest,
In orange, in yellow, or black coats dressed out,
For their liveries, 'twas said, were all made for the rout,
The Emperor began mirth and glee to inspire,
When a loud cry was heard, of "the chimney's on fire;"
All started in fear from the table to learn
If the house was in flames, or likely to burn;
Each snatched up a candle, so left the room dark,
And the moment was seized by the _Chamomile Shark_
To plunder the table. The _Yorkshire Magpie_
Strove also with his share of booty to fly,
But was stopped by the _Lacqueys_, who then in a trice
Demolished themselves every thing that was nice.
'Midst this glorious confusion a mischievous _Pug_
Contrived of the claret to empty each jug,
But not unperceived by young _Miss Exclamation_,
Who by her loud cries caused immense consternation.
Meanwhile came the _Sweep_, with the _Chimney Sweep's Boy_,
And two other _<bot>s_, who ran to employ
Every means they could think of to put out the flame,
In which they succeeded, and found that the blame
Belonged to the _Housewife_, who had thrown in the fire
Some grease, which occasioned the accident dire.
The guests in a panic had now left alone
The Emperor and Empress their ills to bemoan.
Said the Empress, "My dear, let us never more try
With the Butterflies' party so vainly to vie;
For what with the heat, the fatigue, and the fright,
I never before passed so trying a night;
I would not again undergo the vexation
Of such a soirée, for the wealth of a nation."
"With you I agree," the sage Emperor replied,
Who deemed it a lesson to cure them of pride;
"And I trust that the thread of our lives will spin out,
Ere we ever again attempt such a rout.
Alas! we must own we were never designed
To flit in the sunshine, or soar on the wind;
Nature's changeless decree has allotted its share
To each beast of the field, to each bird of the air,
To each reptile that creeps, to each insect that flies;
And who dares to rebel against nature but dies?"
 _Saturnia pavonia minor._ The caterpillars of these moths are
of a beautiful green, with blue spots, and after living
together for three weeks, they separate, and disperse
themselves in all directions. The Chrysalis is covered with a
strongly glutinous matter, which resists not only weather, but
the perforation of other insects. The Pavonia Major is the
largest of European moths, and, according to Latreille, a
manufactory of silk from the cocoons has been established in
 _Pterophorus pentadactylus._ Large White Plume. By some called
Ragged Robin. The moths of this genus have their wings divided,
or formed of feathers united at the base. The chrysalis is
black.
 Female of the _Saturnia pavonia minor_.
 _Pygæra bucephala._
 _Endromis versicolor._
 _Noctua catana._
 _Noctua aprilina._
 _Noctua batis._
 The attitude of the caterpillars, resembling that of the
Sphinx, has given this name to the tribe. The moths of the
Sphinx have the peculiar power of erecting their wings, but
even these cannot make them meet over the back as butterflies
do. Their chief food is the potatoe plant.
 _Liparis dispar._--The caterpillars of the Gipsey are very
destructive to fruit trees, over which they wander during the
day, but at night retire into a web like that of a spider. In
 _Noctua mi._--Called Shipton, from the profile of an old woman
which is marked on its upper wings.
 _Noctua I niger._--The Roman character, I, is marked on the
wings of this moth.
   _Noctua lambda_, _Noctua gamma_, _Noctua chi._--So
named from the spots on their wings resembling these Greek
characters. The caterpillars of the Noctua gamma, in 1735,
infected the whole of France, and devoured the productions of
the kitchen gardens. The common people supposed them to be
poisonous, and consequently the use of herbs in making soups
was forbidden.
 _Noctua gothica._
 _Noctua typica._
 _Pyralis genus._--The Tabby is often found in the tea chests in
the East India warehouses, where it commits great ravages. It
never is met with, however, in a chest that is not cracked,
thereby proving its English origin.
 _Noctua nigra._--Black rustic. _Noctua lævis._--Grey rustic.
_Noctua obsoletissima._--Brown rustic. _Noctua phæa._--Feathered
rustic. _Noctua tinea._--Flounced rustic.
 _Notodonta camelina._--The singular name of Coxcomb Prominent,
was given to this moth from the crest on its thorax, which
resembles that of a cock. The specific name was bestowed in
consequence of two lobes on its upper wings, which it raises
when at rest.
 _Zeuzera æsculus._--The caterpillar feeds on the wood of apple
trees, but the moth is often found in great abundance in St.
James's Park; sixty were gathered there in one morning, but the
greater number had been half devoured by the birds.
 _Cossus ligniperda._--The caterpillar lives in the interior of
trees, and has, according to Lyonet, 4041 muscles. It is three
years before the insect attains its perfect state. The
caterpillar emits a smell much resembling that of musk, and Ray
and Linnæus both supposed it to be the Cossus mentioned by Pliny,
Later writers have, however, for many reasons, ascribed this to
the larva of the stag beetle.
 _Notodonta dromedarius._--This Notodonta is called Dromedary,
from having two crests, similar to humps, on its thorax.
 _Sphinx elpenor._--The caterpillars of the Elephant feed on the
plant called Ladies' Bedstraw, (_Galium palustre_), from which
they are often shaken by the wind into the water. When this
happens, they dexterously turn themselves on their backs, make
head and tail meet, and float in this posture till they can
contrive to save themselves by clinging to some part of the
plant. They possess the power of drawing the head and three
first joints within the body at pleasure. The moth flies very
late at night, and is rarely caught.
 _Lasiocampa rubi._--The Fox moth is chiefly found on heaths and
commons, and lives in the caterpillar state all the winter.
 _Hepialus humuli._--The male moth is of a beautiful and
brilliant white, but the female is yellow. It is fond of feeding
on the roots of grass, and from having been often found in
church-yards, the tradition has arisen that it inhabits those
spots only. The caterpillar is very destructive to hops, by
devouring the roots.
 _Sphinx atropos._--This is called the Death's Head moth from the
the largest of the Sphinx tribe, and is vulgarly regarded as the
messenger of pestilence and death. When touched it utters a
plaintive cry, like that of a bat or mouse. Reaumur says, that a
whole convent in France was thrown into consternation, by one of
these moths flying into the dormitory. It frequently robs hives,
and Huber states, that its cry renders the bees motionless. It
breaks from its chrysalis between four and seven in the
afternoon, as the Hawk moth of the Lime always appears at noon,
and that of the Evening Primrose at sunrise.
 _Sphinx cellata._--The Eyed-hawk moth flies very swiftly by
night, and its caterpillar is very beautiful.
 _Geometra cratægaria._--The Brimstone lays eggs twice in the
same year.
 This genus is so called from the peculiar manner in which the
caterpillar moves; it brings the feet of both extremities close
together, and the intermediate part of the body rises like an
arch, giving it the appearance of measuring the distance it
performs. It is said to possess great muscular powers, for it
will attach its posterior feet to the twig of a tree, and erect
the rest of its body in a vertical position for hours without
moving.
 _Tinea genus._--These are the moths which cause so much
destruction to furs, and other articles of clothing. They lay
their eggs on the substances which serve them for food. The most
effectual method of keeping them away is to pack the materials
in a well-closed tin box, and enclose with them a tallow candle.
 _Noctua tetra._
 _Crambus carnea._--Rosy veneer. _Crambus arborum._--Yellow satin
They are chiefly found on grasses in flower, and always settled
with their heads downwards.
 _Botys genus._--Called China mark, from the resemblance of the
spots on the wings to those on old China.
 _Galleria alvearia._--The caterpillar lives on honey.
 _Aglossa pinguinalis._--The food of the caterpillar consists of
fat substances, such as butter or lard, in which it will suffer
itself to be completely enveloped without injury. It is
sometimes said to get into the human stomach, when it causes
very dangerous symptoms.
 _Galleria cereana._--The caterpillar feeds on wax, but for want
of this food will eat paper, wafers, &c.
 _Hepialus genus._--The gold Swift sometimes moves slowly through
others, vacillates like the pendulum of a clock, and again
altering its motion, darts about with great rapidity.
 _Cerura vinula._--The caterpillar of the Puss has the power of
stretching out, or pulling back its head at will, according to
its apprehension of danger. Its hinder extremity never touches
the ground, but is furnished with two tubes, through which the
insect ejects a thin liquor at its pursuers. When near the
change into the pupa state, however, the tubes dry up, and it
loses this faculty. More male than female moths are to be found,
which is contrary to the general rule.
 _Cerura furcula._--The kitten.
 _Lasiocampa quercus._--The Eggar has been known to remain
seven years in the chrysalis state.
 _Zygæna genus._
 _Noctua oblonga._
 _Noctua obscura._
 _Porrectaria grandipennis._
 _Noctua meticulosa._--The chrysalis of the Angle-shades is of a
deep red colour, with two sharp points at the tail. The
caterpillar is of a fine transparent green.
 _Laria genus._--The Tussock feeds on white thorn, and is the
hop-dog of the hop-gatherers in Kent.
 _Gastropacha quercifolia._--The caterpillar of this moth also
lives through the winter, a fact recently discovered by Mr.
Samouelle, from whose obliging communications many of these
notes have been derived.
 _Noctua flavicornis._
 _Noctua fraxini._--The Nonpareils are very scarce in England,
are very large moths, and have blue under-wings.
 _Noctua triplacea._--Named Spectacle moth, from an appearance
like spectacles on its thorax.
 _Noctua conigera._--Brown line. Bright eye.
 _Noctua furca._
 _Sphinx convolvuli._--The unicorn caterpillar is difficult to
find, from its habit of hiding itself in the ground, and only
appearing on the surface in the evening to feed on the lesser
bindweed, at which time it is frequently sought by collectors
with a candle and lanthorn. The Pupa has an enormous rostrum,
longer than the insect, and very thick, probably to contain the
proboscis.
 _Tinea bistriga._--These are beautiful minute insects, and are
found on the white thorn in July.
 _Geometra sambucaria._--This is found in lanes, and is
remarkable for the elegance of its flight.
 _Noctua typhæ._--The caterpillar feeds on the pith of the
bulrush.
 _Geometra punctaria._--The Maiden's Blush flies in the shady
parts of woods at sunset.
 _Noctua libatrix._
 _Erminea padi._--This insect destroys the white thorn hedges in
the neighbourhood of London. About three years back, a dress was
woven by the caterpillars for the Queen of Bavaria. A model was
made of some stiff material, and the caterpillars placed on it;
they covered it with their web, and thus produced a garment
without a seam.
 _Arctia mendica._
 _Arctia salicis._--The Satin moth not only itself wears the
appearance of this substance, but covers its eggs with a web
which has the same resemblance.
 _Geometra papilio naria._-- _Noctua perla._-- _Geometra
omicromaria._--These moths in colour resemble the stones, &c.,
after which they are named. The Emerald becomes white with
keeping, and the others turn to a dirty yellow.
 _Noctua chrysitis._--The upper wings of the moth are of a
light brown, and streaked across with two bands resembling
polished brass.
 _Noctua Ethiops._--So named from its dark appearance.
 _Noctua Maura._--The Moor has a broad body, and is constantly
found under the arches of Westminster Bridge.
 _Arctia caja._--The caterpillar mixes its own hair with its web.
skin ten times.
 _Noctua brassica._--The caterpillar is very destructive to
cabbages.
 _Noctua persicaria._--This moth is remarkable for a white spot
on its wing, and the caterpillar feeds on the flower from which
it is named.
 _Noctua erica._--The appearance of a true lover's knot is found
on its upper wings.
 _Macroglossum stellatarum._--It makes a humming noise with the
vibration of its wings. It is found from March till September,
hovering over geraniums, and constantly appears at two o'clock
in the afternoon.
 _Noctua bractea._--This is a rare insect, and receives its name
from the large spot in each upper wing, resembling burnished
gold.
 _Noctua precox._--This moth was named after the Duchess of
Portland, who first found it.
 _Tortrix genus._--The genus receives its name from the faculty
possessed by the caterpillar, of rolling or twisting the leaves
of the plants it inhabits, into a tubular form. The Christian,
or Christianern, is found in the chalk pits of Kent, resting on
cinque-foil. The upper wings are of a bright yellow, streaked
with scarlet.
 _Ino statices._--The body and wings are of a beautiful metallic
green, and they chiefly inhabit meadows.
 _Ægeria genus._--They receive their name from the transparency
of their wings. They are principally found on the wood of the
currant tree.
 _Noctua tragopogonus._--Called Mouse from its colour.
 _Noctua delphinii._--The Pease blossom is a very beautiful, but
rare moth. It feeds on the wild larkspur, and lies in the pupa
state from August till the June following.
 _Noctua satellitia._--The caterpillars of the Satellite are
great enemies to white thorn, currant, and gooseberry bushes,
and also to other caterpillars.
 _Geometra hexapterata._--The Seraph, or Seraphim, has two little
its specific name.
 _Noctua cerasi, &c._--These moths are remarkably neat in
appearance.
 _Noctua ligustri._--The Coronets are so called from their
crested thorax.
 _Geometra luctuaria._
of their antennae, which several times exceed the length of
their bodies.
 _Abraxas grossulariata._--The destructive caterpillar of this
moth lives in gardens, through the winter, and feeds on the buds
as they begin to open. When about to change to the chrysalis
state, they suspend themselves by the tail.
 _Bombyx antiqua._--The female moth is destitute of wings, and
the male is constantly seen, slowly fluttering through the
streets of London.
 _Noctua psi._--The Dagger is produced from a light green egg,
and is named from the mark on its wings.
 _Herminia rostralis._--Called Snout, from the form of the palpi,
 _Bombyx cæruleocephala._--It owes its English name to the figure
 _Bombyx cassinea._--The Sprawler is found on palings, closely
adhering to the wood, and rests with its anterior feet widely
spread out.
 _Geometra leucophearia._--This is named Spring Usher from making
insectivorous birds.
 _Noctua aprica._
 _Tortrix gnomana._--Dial moth. It flies from side to side like
the pendulum of a clock.
 _Lasiocampa neustria, &c._--The caterpillars live in a common
web, and are striped with white, blue, and red, whence, by the
French naturalists, they are called _livrée_. They are
polyphagus, _i. e._ they eat every thing. They lay their eggs
in close, compact rings, round the twigs of trees.
 _Odenensis potatoria._--The caterpillar of this moth
(according to Godart) after drinking, lifts up its head like a
hen, whence it receives its name.
 _Lithosia aurantia_ (orange)--_Lithosia luterella_ (yellow)
_Lithosia rubricollis_ (black)--Footman.
 _Noctua chamomilla._--The moth attaches itself close to the
edges of wood, as near its own colour as possible.
 _Abraxas ulmaria._--Found abundantly in Yorkshire.
 _Geometra genus._
 _Noctua exclamationis._
 _Geometra chærophyllata._--All the moths called Chimney-sweeps
are black, but the Chimney-sweep's boy is smaller than the
others, and easily distinguished by the glossiness of its
wings.
 _Fumaria plumistra._
 _Geometra euphorbiata_, &c.
 _Geometra thymiaria._--All collectors will recognise this as a
very probable accident from the quantity of grease natural to
moths, and which often destroys their finest specimens. The
localities of these and other insects, with more particulars,
may be found ably described in Mr. Samouelle's valuable work