Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A WINTER NOSEGAY, by THOMAS HOOD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A WINTER NOSEGAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O wither'd winter blossoms
Last Line: Hence! -- from my shelf!
Subject(s): Flowers; Winter


O' WITHER'D winter Blossoms,
Dowager-flowers -- the December vanity.
In antiquated visages and bosoms, --
What are ye plann'd for,
Unless to stand for
Emblems, and peevish morals of humanity?

There is my Quaker Aunt,
A Paper-flower, -- with a formal border
No breeze could e'er disorder,
Pouting at that old beau -- the Winter Cherry,
A pucker'd berry;
And Box, like tough-liv'd annuitant, --
Verdant alway --
From quarter-day even to quarter-day;
And poor old Honesty, as thin as want,
Well named -- God-wot;
Under the baptism of the water-pot,
The very apparition of a plant;
And why,
Dost hold thy head so high,
Old Winter-Daisy; --
Because thy virtue never was infirm,
Howe'er thy stalk be crazy?
That never wanton fly, or blighted worm,
Made holes in thy most perfect indentation?
'Tis likely that sour leaf,
To garden thief,
Forcepp'd or wing'd, was never a temptation; --
Well, -- still uphold thy wintry reputation;
Still shalt thou frown upon all lovers' trial:
And when, like Grecian maids, young maids of ours
Converse with flow'rs,
Then thou shalt be the token of denial.

Away! dull weeds,
Born without beneficial use or needs!
Fit only to deck out cold winding-sheets;
And then not for the milkmaid's funeral bloom,
Or fair Fidele's tomb --
To tantalise, -- vile cheats!
Some prodigal bee, with hope of after-sweets,
Frigid, and rigid,
As if ye never knew
One drop of dew,
Or the warm sun resplendent;
Indifferent of culture and of care,
Giving no sweets back to the fostering air,
Churlishly independent --
I hate ye, of all breeds!
Yea, all that live so selfishly -- to self,
And not by interchange of kindly deeds --
Hence! -- from my shelf!





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