BUTTERFLY BOWER, Chessell, on the Southampton

Speranza

Bayly:

I'D BE A BUTTERFLY BORN IN A BOWER
where roses & lilies & violets meet
roving for ever from flower to flower &
KISSING ALL BUDS THAT ARE PRETTY & SWEET
I'd never languish for wealth or for power,
I'd never sigh to see slaves at my feet
I'D BE A BUTTERFLY BORN IN A BOWER
KISSING ALL BUDS THAT ARE PRETTY & SWEET


The lyrics were written on impulse as Bayly watchs a butterfly fluttering about in the summer-house of Lord Ashtown's villa at Chessell, on the Southampton River.

The summer-house was later re-decorated and named "Butterfly Bower" in honour of the magnificent and memorable occasion for the history of English music.