The caterpillars met one day, And in a very solemn way Discussed a point of great import To all the caterpillar sort. "Why, as it is," one speaker said, Up-stretching high a hoary head, "So common is this new caprice The wise call Metamorphosis, The change of safe, old-fashioned ground For silly flights on ways unsound, That we must take wise measures soon, Or all our race will be undone." Another spoke: "I like to know That what one is, he's settled so. This crawling one day, winged the next, What prudent worm is not perplexed? With all these moody changes, who Will know what form to fasten to?" So after many long debates, The wise assembly formulates Its judgment thus: "Whereas, the good Old ground whereon our fathers stood Some upstarts are inclined to change For loftier views and wider range, Producing dangerous schism thus, And constantly confusing us, Be it Resolved, that henceforth we Who now do covenant and agree, Maintain ourselves inviolate In good old caterpillar estate, And hold as knavish, outcast things Those rascal heretics with wings." This signed they all with pens that burned, And then -- and then -- they all adjourned For DINNER! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HILL WIFE: THE OFT-REPEATED DREAM by ROBERT FROST UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESSES by ROBERT HERRICK GARDEN DAYS: 3. THE FLOWERS by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON PHILOSOPHIES by MADELEINE AARON TO THE SOLITUDE OF FONTENAY by GUILLAUME AMFRYE |