iving 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_[29] to measure the ground,
For another _Geometra_[30] 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_[31] were appointed to stencil the floor,
The _Clothes Moths_[32] with gossamer covered the door;
_Mahogany_[33] and _Wainscot_[34] were neither deficient
In offering their aid, which proved most efficient,
While _Veneers_,[35] both rosy and yellow, were able
T'improve, by their help, the decayed supper table.
For the crockery, _China Mark_[36] promised to strive,
And _Galleria_[37] offered to steal from a hive,
Profusion of honey; _Pinguinalis_[38] brought butter,
And with wax _Cereana_[39] 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_[40] had sent out
To deliver the cards for this elegant rout.
_Puss_[41] sent an excuse, with the _Kitten_[42] engaged,
And the _Eggar_,[43] poor lady, was highly enraged
That her numerous offspring requiring her care,
Prevented her joining a party so rare.
The _Burnets_,[44] _Brown Pinioned_,[45] the _Dingy Brocades_,[46]
The _Black Raven Feather_,[47] and sweet _Angle Shades_,[48]
Had promised that day with the _Tussock_[49] 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_[50] being ill, the _Poplar Lutestring_[51]
The two Misses _Nonpareil_[52] promised to bring;
And the _Spectacle Moth_,[53] too near sighted to go,
Sent his ward the _Bright Eye_,[54] with the _Flame Furbelow_,[55]
Whose young lover, the beautiful, brave _Unicorn_,[56]
Had been shot in a duel with the _Red Striped Hawthorn_.[57]
Not quite fit to appear, the gallant _Swallow Tail_[58]
At the doctors with anger continued to rail,
He having been lamed by the awkward _Bulrush_,[59]
To