I FOR God's sake mark that fly: See what a poor, weak, little thing it is. When thou hast mark'd, and scorn'd it, know that this, This little, poor, weak fly Has kill'd a pope; can make an emp'ror die. II Behold yon spark of fire: How little hot! how near to nothing 'tis! When thou hast done despising, know that this, This contemn'd spark of fire, Has burn't whole towns; can burn a world entire. III That crawling worm there see: Ponder how ugly, filthy, vile it is. When thou hast seen and loath'd it, know that this, This base worm thou dost see, Has quite devour'd thy parents; shall eat thee. IV Honour, the world, and man, What trifles are they; since most true it is That this poor fly, this little spark, this So much abhorr'd worm, can Honour destroy; burn worlds; devour up man. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SOMETIMES WITH ONE I LOVE by WALT WHITMAN BARBARA FRIETCHIE [SEPTEMBER 13, 1862] by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER FIRST-DAY THOUGHTS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER LUCY (2) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH PRAYER OF AN UNEMPLOYED MAN by W. C. ACKERLY WINTER TREE by WALTER R. ADAMS PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 31. AL-LATIF by EDWIN ARNOLD |