LIFE (priest and poet say) is but a dream; I wish no happier one than to be laid Beneath a cool syringa's scented shade, Or wavy willow, by the running stream, Brimful of moral, where the Dragon-fly Wanders as careless and content as I. Thanks for this fancy, insect king, Of purple crest and filmy wing, Who with indifference givest up The water-lily's golden cup; To come again and overlook What I am writing in my book. Believe me, most who read the line Will read with hornier eyes than thine; And yet their souls shall live for ever, And thine drop dead into the river! God pardon them, O insect king, Who fancy so unjust a thing! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CONVERGENCE OF THE TWAIN; LINES ON LOSS OF THE TITANIC by THOMAS HARDY THE PLUMPUPPETS by CHRISTOPHER DARLINGTON MORLEY EARLY DEATH AND FAME by MATTHEW ARNOLD A QUARTET ('THE MIKADO' AT CAMBRIDGE) by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 40. FAREWELL TO JULIET (2) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |