Oh, what a beautiful Moth am I!
Colours so gay, and sparkling each eye,
Nobody ever would guess, I ween,
I once was a Caterpillar all in green.

I've taken me feathers of brightest hue,
With silver and gold I have decked me too:
No, no! you never would guess, I ween,
I once was a Caterpillar all in green.
With a tardy foot no longer I crawl
'Neath the shady leaves, or on ivied wall;
But, joyously floating in airy height,
I wander abroad in the pale moonlight;

Or join the Elves as they dance and sing
In the circle green of the fairy ring,
Or tease a poor Daisy that's trying to keep
Its big yellow eye from my curious peep.

But sometimes I fly to a treacherous light,
That mimics a star in a darkling night;
And too late I learn, with my poor singed wings,
The evil that want of discretion oft brings.