1 All bliss Consists in this, To do as Adam did: And not to know those superficial toys Which in the garden once were hid, Those little new invented things. Cups, saddles, crowns are childish joys. So ribbons are and rings. Which all our happiness destroys. 2 Nor God In His abode Nor saints nor little boys Nor angels made them; only foolish men, Grown mad with custom, on those toys Which more increase their wants, do dote. And when they older are do then Those baubles chiefly note With greedier eyes, more boys tho men. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FROM THE GREATER TESTAMENT (XXII, XXIII, AND XXVI) by FRANCOIS VILLON TOMORROW by FELIX LOPE DE VEGA CARPIO THE CAPTAINS OF THE YEARS by ARTHUR RAYMOND MACDOUGALL JR. SHUT OUT by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE PRINCESS: SONG by ALFRED TENNYSON TWILIT HARMONY by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE S. MATTHIAS by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |