Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LAUREL, by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LAUREL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What art thou, presumptuous, who profanest
Last Line: Are flowers which die almost before they sicken.'


'WHAT art thou, presumptuous, who profanest
The wreath to mighty poets only due,
Even whilst like a forgotten moon thou wanest?
Touch not those leaves which for the eternal few
Who wander o'er the paradise of fame,
In sacred dedication ever grew:
One of the crowd thou art without a name,'
'Ah, friend,'t is the false laurel that I wear.
Bright though it seem, it is not the same
As that which bound Milton's immortal hair:
Its dew is poison; and the hopes that quicken
Under its chilling shade, though seeming fair,
Are flowers which die almost before they sicken.'





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