The Nightingale and Glow-Worm

The Nightingale and Glow-worm.

A nightingale perches on a nest. The nest has three eggs in it and is placed in a tree, surrounded by branches and leaves. The corner of a wooden fence peeks out from behind the leaves. 1/6 page. A Nightingale, that all day long Had cheer’d the village with his song, Nor yet at eve his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite ; When, looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark ; So, stooping from the hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop. The worm, aware of his intent, Harangued him thus, right eloquent :— Did you admire my lamp, quoth he, As much as I your minstrelsy, You would abhor to do me wrong, As much as I to spoil your song ; For ’twas the self-same Power Divine Taught you to sing, and me to shine ; That you with music, I wish light. Might beautify and cheer the night. The songster heard his short oration, And warbling out his approbation, Released him, as my story tells, And found a supper somewhere else. Hence jarring sectaries may learn Their real interest to discern ; That brother should not war with brother, And worry and devour each other ; But sing and shine with one consent, Till life’s poor transient night is spent, Respecting in each other’s case, The gifts of nature and of grace. Those Christians best deserve the name, Who studiously made peace their aim ; Peace, both the duty and the prize, Of him that creeps and him that flies. Cowper .

Three glow-worms are surrounded by fungi and plants. The female glow-worms are on the ground and the winged male flies toward them. 1/6-page illustration contained by a double-ruled border.