Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MY NEIGHBOR'S REPLY by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "YOUR NEIGHBOR, SIR, WHOSE ROSES YOU ADMIRE"
Last Line: AND HE WHO SHARES THE JOY IN WHAT HE'S GROWN / SPREADS JOY AND DOUBLES ALL HIS OWN
Subject(s): FLOWERS;NEIGHBORS;PLEASURE;ROSES;

Your neighbor, sir, whose roses you admire,
Is glad indeed to know that they inspire
Within your breast a feeling quite as fine
As felt by him who owns and tends that vine.

That those fair flowers should give my neighbors joy
But swells my own, and draws therefrom alloy
Which would lessen its full worth, did I not know
That others' pleasure in the flowers grow.

Friend, from my neighbors and this vine I've learned
That sharing pleasure means a profit turned;
And he who shares the joy in what he's grown
Spreads joy abroad and doubles all his own.



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