Violet Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) with feather detail. Iridescence in bird feathers is due to microstructures of the feather refracting light like a prism. Fossil evidence has shown that birds have had these structures in their feathers for at least 40 million years.
If we shadows have offended, Know but this and all is mended. That you have but slumbered here, While these visions did appear, And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding, but a dream.
This speech, from the play Sir Thomas More, is the only piece of dramatic literature we have in Shakespeare’s hand (it was basically his only contribution to the multi-authored play). It’s never ceased to be relevant.