Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A FOOL by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES

Poet Analysis

First Line: IF, WHEN THY BODY'S END HAS COME
Last Line: "AND MISSED THEM WITH MY SNAPPING HAND."
Subject(s): FOOLS; IDIOTS;
IF, when thy body's end has come,
Thy mind must find another home,
Make no mistake with man again;
Come into flesh the thing thou art
In all except thy body's part --
Come as a silly ass, and plain.

Such were my thoughts, their honest parts,
But oh, what liars are kind hearts!
What smooth false words such hearts demand:
"Thy dreams," said I, "give more surprise
Than when I chased bright butterflies,
And missed them with my snapping hand."



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