'Chrysomela' Summary

The poem "Chrysomela" by Robert Herrick is a beautiful ode to the beauty and fragility of a butterfly. The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker addressing the butterfly directly.

The speaker begins by admiring the butterfly's wings, which are "enamell'd with golden dyes." They are "the wonder of the springes," and "the delight of our eyes." The speaker then goes on to describe the butterfly's flight, which is "like a dancing feather" or "a winged flower."

The speaker then laments the butterfly's brief lifespan. They say that the butterfly's wings will soon "fade," and its "beauties decay." The speaker also says that the butterfly's "little soul" will "away."

The poem ends with the speaker urging the butterfly to enjoy its brief time in the world. They say, "Live while thou may'st, and when thou diest,

Leave not thy soul behind thee here."

The poem "Chrysomela" is a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life. It is a call to live life to the fullest and to make the most of every moment. The poem is also a celebration of the natural world, and it captures the beauty of a butterfly in all its fleeting glory.