COME here, thou proud pretender unto arts, Most self-amazing sophy, look and learn; Nor travel more from east to west for food. Advert thine eye, in contemplation close, On these thy little betters heaven-fed. Up to yon luminary raise a thought, Whose majesty so mild, in all her forms, The mighty ocean follows faithfully: View her with wonder leading up the waves To give unto this mussel due repast. In full felicity behold it fixed, Contented waiting the appointed time; Now sleeping in its cell, wherein anon 'Twill drinking lie at ease, like Romans couched. Solomon clothed in all his glory (said The truth itself) was less than lily fair. O may I modest, and with reverence To that great oracle, go on to say His table, on a festival, could not Exhibit entertainment suited more To hunger and to health, nor so superb As Neptune feasts this less than reptile with. O Fate, thou grand disposer of events, Director of man's metamorphosis, Grant me at death a change to mussel-life! Or, if not too presumptuous in the wish, More nobly bless me in the oyster-bed! You furious folk, for fame infatuate, Who Alexander down your days abrupt For one long night upon Bellona's pillow, Because 'tis curtained round with specious ensigns; I tell you, fighting fools, this mussel-bed As much of honour has, and more delight. Hail, happy shell! from heart-ache ever free! The basis beautiful of Christendom, The source of all the potentates on earth, In its best attitude resembles thee. Patient, like thee, that prime of nature lies T'imbibe the quintessence of flowing sweets. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FAREWELL TO LOVE; SONNET by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE PRIVATE OF THE BUFFS; OR, THE BRITISH SOLDIER IN CHINA by FRANCIS HASTINGS CHARLES DOYLE A MODEST LOVE; SONG by EDWARD DYER ON STURMINSTER FOOT-BRIDGE by THOMAS HARDY SONGO RIVER; CONNECTING LAKE SEBAGO AND LONG LAKE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW MOUNT RAINIER by HERBERT BASHFORD A NEW PILGRIMAGE: 8 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT TO A YOUNG LADY WHO ASKED ME TO WRITE SOMETHING ORIGINAL FOR HER ALBUM by THOMAS CAMPBELL |