WOULD the lark sing the sweeter if he knew A thousand hearts hung breathless on his lay? And if "How fair!" the rose could hear us say, Would she, her primal fairness to outdo, Take on a richer scent, a lovelier hue? Who knows or cares to answer yea or nay? O tuneful lark! sail, singing, on your way, Brimmed with excess of ecstasy; and yon, Sweet rose! renew with every perfect June Your perfect blossoming! Still Naturewise, Sing, bloom, because ye must, and not for praise. If only we, who covet the fair boon Of well-earned fame, and wonder where it lies, Would read the secret in your simple ways! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOT ONE TO SPARE by ETHEL LYNN BEERS MARRIAGE by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE THE SCHRECKHORN by THOMAS HARDY ODE 13. ON THE CHARMS OF PEACE by BACCHYLIDES GOUZEAUCOURT: THE DECEITFUL CALM by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN IN MEMORIAM: A.F (OB. OCT. 12, 1879) by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN |