Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BEE AND THE PINE-APPLE, by WILLIAM COWPER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BEE AND THE PINE-APPLE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A bee allur'd by the perfume
Last Line: Than pleasure coveted in vain.


A BEE allur'd by the perfume
Of a rich pine-apple in bloom,
Found it within a frame inclos'd,
And lick'd the glass that interpos'd.
Blossoms of apricot and peach,
The flow'rs that blow'd within his reach,
Were arrant drugs compar'd with that,
He strove so vainly to get at.
No rose could yield so rare a treat,
Nor jessamine were half so sweet.
The gard'ner saw this much ado,
(The gard'ner was the master too)
And thus he said—Poor restless bee!
I learn philosophy from thee,
I learn how just it is and wise,
To use what Providence supplies,
To leave fine titles, lordships, graces,
Rich pensions, dignities, and places,
Those gifts of a superior kind,
To those for whom they were design'd.
I learn that comfort dwells alone
In that which Heav'n has made our own,
That fools incur no greater pain,
Than pleasure coveted in vain.





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