SERVING no haughty Muse, my hands have here Disposed some cultured Flowerets (drawn from spots Where they bloomed singly, or in scattered knots), Each kind in several beds of one parterre; Both to allure the casual Loiterer, And that, so placed, my Nurslings may requite Studious regard with opportune delight, Nor be unthanked, unless I fondly err. But metaphor dismissed, and thanks apart, Reader, farewell! My last words let them be -- If in this book Fancy and Truth agree; If simple Nature trained by careful Art Through It have won a passage to thy heart; Grant me thy love, I crave no other fee! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ROBINSON CRUSOE by MOTHER GOOSE THE ROSE TREE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE RIVAL CELESTIAL by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THOMAS GRAY by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON CHRISTMAS by CHARLOTTE LOUISE BERTLESEN A NEW HAMPSHIRE BOY by MORRIS GILBERT BISHOP |