WOULD the lark sing the sweeter if he knew A thousand hearts hung breathless on his lay? And if "How fair!" the rose could hear us say, Would she, her primal fairness to outdo, Take on a richer scent, a lovelier hue? Who knows or cares to answer yea or nay? O tuneful lark! sail, singing, on your way, Brimmed with excess of ecstasy; and yon, Sweet rose! renew with every perfect June Your perfect blossoming! Still Naturewise, Sing, bloom, because ye must, and not for praise. If only we, who covet the fair boon Of well-earned fame, and wonder where it lies, Would read the secret in your simple ways! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LAMENT FOR [THE DEATH OF] THOMAS DAVIS by SAMUEL FERGUSON THE MORNING-GLORY by MARIA WHITE LOWELL SHE IS FAR FROM THE LAND by THOMAS MOORE PSALM 126 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE AN IMITATION OF SPENCER by WILLIAM BLAKE A PEASANT WOMAN'S SONG by DION BOUCICAULT THE ROMAUNT OF MARGRET by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |