A THOUGHT ay like a flower upon mine heart, And drew around it other thoughts like bees For multitude and thirst of sweetnesses; Whereat rejoicing, I desired the art Of the Greek whistler, who to wharf and mart Could lure those insect swarms from orange-trees, That I might hive with me such thoughts and please My soul so, always. Foolish counterpart Of a weak man's vain wishes! While I spoke, The thought I called a flower grew nettle-rough, The thoughts, called bees, stung me to festering: Oh, entertain (cried Reason as she woke) Your best and gladdest thoughts but long enough, And they will all prove sad enough to sting! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ESTONIAN BRIDAL SONG by JOHANN GOTTFRIED VON HERDER TO DAFFODILS by ROBERT HERRICK TO GOD AND IRELAND TRUE by ELLEN O'LEARY HESPERUS THE BRINGER by SAPPHO THE INDIAN'S WELCOME TO THE PILGRIM FATHERS by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY GREATER LOVE by ANTIPATER OF SIDON |