Fly, white butterflies, out to sea,
Frail pale wings for the winds to try,
Small white wings that we scarce can see
Fly.
Here and there may a chance-caught eye
Note in a score of you twain or three
Brighter or darker of tinge or dye.
Some fly light as a laugh of glee,
Some fly soft as a low long sigh:
All to the haven where each would be
Fly.
More verses by Algernon Charles Swinburne
- Super Flumina Babylonis
- Hendecasyllabics
- Quia Multum Amavit
- Mentana : First Anniversary
- A Singing Lesson