ALL things of beauty are not theirs alone Who hold the fee; but unto him no less Who can enjoy, than unto them who own, Are sweetest uses given to possess. For Heaven is bountiful; and suffers none To make monopoly of aught that's fair; The breath of violets is not for one, Nor loveliness of women; all may share Who can discern; and He who made the law, "Thou shalt not covet," gave the subtile power By which, unsinning, I may freely draw Beauty and fragrance from each perfect flower That decks the wayside, or adorns the lea, Or in my neighbor's garden blooms for me! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELEGY: THE LAMENT OF EDWARD BLASTOCK; FOR RICHARD ROWLEY by EDITH SITWELL THE YANKEE'S RETURN FROM CAMP [JUNE, 1775] by EDWARD BANGS THE LOST SHEEP by SARAH PRATT MCCLAIN GREENE THE FALLOW DEER AT THE LONELY HOUSE by THOMAS HARDY IN EARLIEST SPRING by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS THE LOVER: A BALLAD by MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU HAUNTED by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |