Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A PARABLE, by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL


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A PARABLE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: An ass munched thistles, while a nightingale
Last Line: "nor mete we listeners by their length of ear."


AN ass munched thistles, while a nightingale
From passion's fountain flooded all the vale.
"Hee-haw!" cried he, "I hearken," as who knew
For such ear-largess humble thanks were due.
"Friend," said the winged pain, "in vain you bray,
Who tunnels bring, not cisterns, for my lay;
None but his peers the poet rightly hear,
Nor mete we listeners by their length of ear."





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