Letter X.From The Blue-Bottle Fly To The Grasshopper.(The Bird And Insects' Post-Office.)

(CHARLES BLOOMFIELD.)          I.          As I roamed t'other day,          Neighbour Hop, in my way         I discovered a nice rotten plum,          Which you know is a treat;          And, to taste of the sweet,         A swarm of relations had come.     II.          So we all settled round,          As it lay on the ground,         And were feasting ourselves with delight;             But, for want of more thought             To have watched, as we ought,         We were suddenly seized - and held tight.         III.             In a human clenched hand,             Where, unable to stand,         We were twisted and tumbled about;             But, perceiving a chink,             You will readily think         I exerted myself - I got out.         IV.             How the rest got away             I really can't say;         But I flew with such ardour and glee.             That again, unawares,             I got into the snares         Of my foe Mr. Spider, you see;         V.             Who so fiercely came out             Of his hole, that no doubt         He expected that I was secure:             But he found 'twould not do,             For I forced my way through,         Overjoyed on escaping, you're sure.              VI.             But I'll now take my leave,             For the clouds I perceive         Are darkening over the sky;             The sun has gone in,             And I really begin         To feel it grow colder. - Good bye!     I'm, as ever, yours,     BLUE-BOTTLE FLY.