Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WISDOM UNAPPLIED, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: If I were thou, o butterfly Last Line: Are wise (for all thy scorn) as thou.' Subject(s): Butterflies; Wisdom; Advice | ||||||||
I IF I were thou, O butterfly, And poised my purple wing to spy The sweetest flowers that live and die, II I would not waste my strength on those, As thou, -- for summer has a close, And pansies bloom not in the snows. III If I were thou, O working bee, And all that honey-gold I see Could delve from roses easily, IV I would not hive it at man's door, As thou, -- that heirdom of my store Should make him rich and leave me poor. V If I were thou, O eagle proud, And screamed the thunder back aloud, And faced the lightning from the cloud, VI I would not build my eyrie-throne, As thou, -- upon a crumbling stone Which the next storm may trample down. VII If I were thou, O gallant steed, With pawing hoof and dancing head, And eye outrunning thine own speed, VIII I would not meeken to the rein, As thou, -- nor smooth my nostril plain From the glad desert's snort and strain. IX If I were thou, red-breasted bird, With song at shut-up window heard, Like Love's sweet Yes too long deferred, X I would not overstay delight, As thou, -- but take a swallow-flight Till the new spring returned to sight. XI While yet I spake, a touch was laid Upon my brow, whose pride did fade As thus, methought, an angel said, -- XII 'If I were thou who sing'st this song, Most wise for others, and most strong In seeing right while doing wrong, XIII 'I would not waste my cares, and choose, As thou, -- to seek what thou must lose, Such gains as perish in the use. XIV 'I would not work where none can win, As thou, -- halfway 'twixt grief and sin, But look above and judge within. XV 'I would not let my pulse beat high, As thou, -- towards fame's regality, Nor yet in love's great jeopardy. XVI 'I would not champ the hard cold bit, As thou, -- of what the world thinks fit, But take God's freedom, using it. XVII 'I would not play earth's winter out, As thou, -- but gird my soul about, And live for life past death and doubt. XVIII 'Then sing, O singer! -- but allow, Beast, fly and bird, called foolish now, Are wise (for all thy scorn) as thou.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF: 3. FEEDING THE RABBITS by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR TO MY STUDENTS; LAST CLASS, LAST WORDS by JOHN CIARDI ANY MAN'S ADVICE TO HIS SON by KENNETH FEARING ADVISING MYSELF by PHILIP LEVINE THREE ON LUCK: SENIOR POET by ROBERT PINSKY ADVISING AN ADULT by KENNETH REXROTH SEAFARER by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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