A GRAVE philosopher, whose name To Scythia gave resplendent fame, Intent his knowledge to increase, A journey took through classic Greece, Where, to his profit and delight, He saw full many a novel sight, Towers, temples, people, -- and much more, As brave Ulysses did of yore; But chiefly he was struck to see A simple man, of low degree, Untaught in philosophic page, But in his life a very sage. His farm, a little patch of land, He tilled with such a clever hand, It yielded all he cared to spend, And something more to treat a friend Approaching where the rustic now Was clipping at an apple-bough, The Scythian gave a wondering look, To see him wield his pruning-hook, Here lopping off a withered limb, There reaching high a branch to trim, Correcting nature everywhere, But always with judicious care. "Sir," said the Tourist, "tell me why This wanton waste that meets my eye? Your husbandry seems rather rough; Time's scythe will cut them soon enough." "Nay," said the Sage, "I only dress My apple-trees, and curb excess; Enhancing thus, as seems but wise, My fruit in sweetness, tale, and size." Returning home the Scythian took Without delay his pruning-hook, On all his trees the knife he tried, And cut and carved on every side, Nor from his murderous work refrained Till naught but barren stumps remained. MORAL. This Scythian sage resembles those Who deem their passions are their foes; And who, instead of pruning where Excess requires the owner's care, Cut down the tree that God has made With fierce Repression's cruel blade; And thus, for future life, destroy All precious fruit of human joy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PLACES: 4. EVENING (NAHANT) by SARA TEASDALE TO IMAGINATION (2) by EMILY JANE BRONTE ON FIRST LOOKING INTO CHAPMAN'S HOMER by JOHN KEATS THE FALL OF HYPERION; A DREAM by JOHN KEATS EPIGRAM: 27. THE FRUIT by THOMAS WYATT HUNTING HORNS by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE |