The gliding fish that takes his play In shady nook of streamlet cool, Thinks not how waters pass away, And summer dries the pool. The bird beneath his leafy dome, Who trills his carol, loud and clear, Thinks not how soon his verdant home The lightning's breath may sear. Shall I within my bridegroom's bower, With braids of budding roses twined, Look forward to a coming hour When he may prove unkind? The bee reigns in his waxen cell, The chieftain in his stately hold, To-morrow's earthquake,—who can tell? May both in ruin fold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WHITE WOMEN by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE ODE ON THE POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS OF THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND by WILLIAM COLLINS (1721-1759) THE WIDOW; SAPPHICS by ROBERT SOUTHEY THE BROOK; AN IDYL: THE BROOK'S SONG by ALFRED TENNYSON LEGEND by JOHN VAN ALSTYN WEAVER SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 18. A PORTRAIT by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |