AN Ass, whose customary toil Was bearing heavy sacks of oil (The kind which often serves, at night, Our houses, shops, and streets to light), His labor over for the day, Straight to his stable took his way; But, as he sought to enter there, The groping donkey, unaware, Against the door-hasp hit his nose; Whereat his indignation rose To such a pitch, he roundly swore, (As many an ass has done before!) And thus, in wrath, expressed his mind: "By Jove! one might as well be blind, As break his noddle in the dark For want of light! A single spark Had saved my skin; but not a ray My master gives to light my way. I, who for others daily toil, And fill a thousand lamps with oil, For lack of one -- so justice goes! -- Against the door must break my nose!" MORAL. The miser, who, to gather pelf For thankless heirs, defrauds himself; The ignoramus, proud to show His gilded volumes all a-row, -- Such men as these may we not class (Poor donkeys!) with the Oilman's Ass. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GRENADIER by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN ON MUSIC by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR THE TWO OLD BACHELORS by EDWARD LEAR THE DREARY CHANGE by WALTER SCOTT THE THIRD OF FEBRUARY, 1852 by ALFRED TENNYSON |