Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A MODEST LOVE; SONG by EDWARD DYER

First Line: THE LOWEST TREES HAVE TOPS, THE ANT HER GALL
Last Line: THEY HEAR AND SEE, AND SIGH, AND THEN THEY BREAK.
Subject(s): LOVE;

The lowest trees have tops, the ant her gall,
The fly her spleen, the little spark his heat;
The slender hairs cast shadows, though but small,
And bees have stings, although they be not great;
Seas have their source, and so have shallow springs:
And love is love, in beggars and in kings.
Where waters smoothest run, there deepest are the fords;
The dial stirs, yet none perceives it move;
The firmest faith is found in fewest words;
The turtles do not sing, and yet they love;
True hearts have ears and eyes, no tongues to speak:
They hear and see, and sigh, and then they break.




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