"Is that beast better that hath two or three mountains to graze on, than a little bee that feeds on dew or manna, and lives upon what falls every morning from the storehouses of heaven, clouds, and providence? Can a man quench his thirst better out of a river than a full urn; or drink better from the fountain which is finely paved with marble, than when it swells over the green turf?" BISHOP JEREMY TAYLOR. THINK'ST thou the steed that restless roves O'er rocks and mountains, fields and groves, With wild, unbridled bound, Finds fresher pasture than the bee, On thymy bank, or vernal tree, Intent to store her industry, Within her waxen round? Think'st thou the fountain forc'd to turn Thro' marble vase, or sculptur'd urn, Affords a sweeter draught, Than that which in its native sphere, Perennial, undisturb'd and clear, Flows, the lone traveller's thirst to cheer, And wake his grateful thought? Think'st thou the man whose mansions hold The worldling's pomp, and miser's gold, Obtains a richer prize, Than he who in his cot at rest, Finds heavenly peace, a willing guest, And bears the promise in his breast Of treasure in the skies? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO JOHN BROWN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ON THE BRINK by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY SONNET COMPOSED ON A JOURNEY HOMEWARD by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE MEMORIAL TO D.C.: 5. ELEGY by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY AFTER MUSIC by JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY SONNET: 65 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE LITTLE BERNHARD by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS |