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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BROKEN DISH by THOMAS HOOD

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHAT'S LIFE BUT FULL OF CARE AND DOUBT
Last Line: THEY'D BOTH BE SMASHED TO SHIVERS.

[DOMESTIC DIDACTICS BY AN OLD SERVANT]

WHAT's life but full of care and doubt,
With all its fine humanities,
With parasols we walk about,
Long pigtails and such vanities.

We plant pomegranate trees and things,
And go in gardens sporting,
With toys and fans of peacock's wings,
To painted ladies courting.

We gather flowers of every hue,
And fish in boats for fishes,
Build summer-houses painted blue,
But life's as frail as dishes.

Walking about their groves of trees,
Blue bridges and blue rivers,
How little thought them two Chinese,
They'd both be smashed to shivers.



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