Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RICHES by RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: HAVE YE SEEN THE CATERPILLAR
Last Line: HE LAUGHETH AT HIS FOES.
Subject(s): WEALTH; RICHES; FORTUNES;
Have ye seen the caterpillar
Foully warking in his nest?
Tis the poor man getting siller,
Without cleanness, without rest.

Have you seen the butterfly
In braw claithing drest?
Tis the poor man gotten rich,
In rings & painted vest.

The poor man crawls in web of rags,
And sore bested with woes,
But when he flees on riches' wings,
He laugheth at his foes.



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