Learn if you must, but do not come to me For truth of what your pleasant neighbor says Behind you of your looks or of your ways, Or of your worth and virtue generally; If he's a pleasure to you, let him be -- Being the same to him; and let your days Be tranquil, having each the other's praise, And each his own opinion peaceably. Two brothers once did love each other well, Yet not so well but that a pungent word From each came stinging home to the wrong ears. The rest would be an overflow to tell, Surely; and you may slowly have inferred That we may not be here a thousand years. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO NANNETTE FALK-AUERBACH by SIDNEY LANIER GIANT RED WOMAN by CLARENCE MAJOR LITTLE BROTHER'S STORY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD THE BLACK MONKEY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD WINTER SONG by KATHERINE MANSFIELD SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: TOM MERRITT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE LEAVES FIRST by CARL PHILLIPS |