I AM a reward, and a punishment too, What you may give, and what you may do, Animal, mineral, both I may be, Vegetable oftenest perhaps of the three. Once, I know, as the story goes, I was the cause of a bridegroom's woes; But often since I have dimmed the life Of a wearily-sighing neglected wife. Never a court without me was seen, Never a vestry either, I ween, Never a coach, and never a train, Tho' sometimes a hindrance the latter to gain. Famous I am for a long dark way, Dismal as night in the brightest day. From the depths of my bosom may rise and float Many a soft and melodious note; Why should ye marvel? The rich and fair, The gay and gorgeous are often there. Wherever the sweetest of sounds goes forth Through the radiant south or the dreary north, A tale of me will be surely told, Or false were the words of a prophecy old. A little one longs to begin to do good, I sometimes help it, and always could; Yet the hardened man and the cruel boy May find in me a savage joy. Give me, and oh, what a monster you'll be; Refuse me, 'was e'er such a niggard as he;' Hire me, then you are rich, I conclude; Mount me, and then you may view and be viewed; Open me, perhaps you are even a thief, Perhaps 'twas by way of consoling your grief; Plant me, I see you are neat in your taste; Enter me—nervousness, flurry, and haste Won't at all suit, so I pray you take heed, Or counsel will into me put you indeed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BATTLE-FIELD by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE SNUG LITTLE ISLAND by THOMAS FROGNALL DIBDIN A ST. HELENA LULLABY by RUDYARD KIPLING THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 7 by OMAR KHAYYAM THE OLD MAN'S COMFORTS AND HOW HE GAINED THEM by ROBERT SOUTHEY |