YES! every man worth calling so Does in his heart a serpent own, Established there as on a throne, Which answers Don't!--when you say Do. Fix your eyes on the tempting gaze, Which does seductive beauty raise; The tooth says--Heed to duty give! Have children to succeed, plant trees, Your heart let verse or sculpture please; The tooth says--Hast one day to live? Howe'er he hope or plan, good sooth! Man cannot live one moment's space, Nor 'scape, nor silence, nor efface The warning of the serpent's tooth. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TWO SAYINGS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING COMFORT [TO A YOUTH THAT HAD LOST HIS LOVE] by ROBERT HERRICK THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS by THOMAS HOOD THE LACHRYMATORY by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 99. AZ-ZABOOR by EDWIN ARNOLD |