IN grateful reward of some generous thing That an honest young farmer had done To a wandering Fairy, she gave him a ring That was set with a magical stone. "Pray take it, and wear it as long as you live," Said the Fay, as the present she gave; "'T is a wonderful ring, and is potent to give Whatever its wearer may crave. "One wish, and no more, it is certain to bring; Whatever you have in your thought, You have only to wish, -- with a turn of the ring, -- And presto! the marvel is wrought!" Now, what should he wish? -- it was not very clear, And so he consulted his spouse; Who quickly replied, "Good gracious! my dear! Just wish for a couple of cows!" "Nay, -- nay! that were foolish!" the farmer replies; "The cows I can earn in a year, By the work of my hands; pray, let us be wise, And wish to some purpose, my dear!" "Well, -- wish for more land!" said the voluble dame; "There's a meadow adjoining our farm You long have been wanting; that surely were game Well worthy your magical charm!" "Nay, -- nay!" said the farmer; "that, too, I can buy In a couple of years, at the most; Something better than that we must find ere we try What virtue this bauble may boast. "One wish, recollect, is allowed, -- and no more; In waiting there's surely no harm; And then, how the fault we should ever deplore If we foolishly squander the charm!" And so -- it is told -- to the day when he died By talent and labor alone The farmer grew wealthy, nor ever had tried A wish with the magical stone! MORAL. "O fool of a farmer!" how many will say, "Who, having so potent a ring, Just stupidly threw the advantage away! -- Was ever so silly a thing?" -- But, from wishing amiss, what mortal can tell What evil might chance to befall? Or know that in wishing his choice were as well As not to have chosen at all? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPISTLE TO JAMES SMITH by ROBERT BURNS HAPPY WIND by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES FOUR QUARTETS: BURNT NORTON by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT SONNET by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE BRAES OF YARROW by JOHN LOGAN (1748-1788) |