Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FABLES FOR THE LADIES: THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM, by EDWARD MOORE (1712-1757) Poet's Biography First Line: The prudent nymph, whose cheeks disclose Last Line: And beauty wrecks whom she adorns.' Subject(s): Beauty; Birds; Nature; Nightingales | ||||||||
THE prudent nymph, whose cheeks disclose The lily and the blushing rose, From public view her charms will screen, And rarely in the crowd be seen; This simple truth shall keep her wise, 'The fairest fruits attract the flies.' One night a Glow-worm, proud and vain, Contemplating her glittering train, Cried, 'Sure there never was in nature So elegant, so fine a creature! All other insects that I see, The frugal ant, industrious bee, Or silk-worm, with contempt I view, With all that low mechanic crew Who servilely their lives employ In business, enemy to joy! Mean vulgar herd! ye are my scorn; For grandeur only I was born, Or sure am sprung from race divine, And plac'd on earth to live and shine: Those lights that sparkle so on high, Are but the Glow-worms of the sky; And kings on earth their gems admire Because they imitate my fire.' She spoke: attentive, on a spray, A Nightingale forbore his lay; He saw the shining morsel near, And flew directed by the glare; A while he gaz'd with sober look, And thus the trembling prey bespoke: 'Deluded fool! with pride elate, Know 'tis thy beauty brings thy fate; Less dazzling, long thou might'st have lain Unheeded on the velvet plain. Pride soon or late degraded mourns, And Beauty wrecks whom she adorns.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE IS LIKE THE SCENT OF SYRINGA by MINA LOY THE NIGHTINGALE IN BADELUNDA by TOMAS TRANSTROMER THE NIGHTINGALE by PAUL VERLAINE ODE, FR. THE PASSIONATE PILGRIM by RICHARD BARNFIELD NIGHTINGALES by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES BIANCA AMONG THE NIGHTINGALES by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE NIGHTINGALE; A CONVERSATION POEM by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE AS PHILLIS THE GAY by EDWARD MOORE (1712-1757) BE STILL, O YE WINDS! by EDWARD MOORE (1712-1757) ELEGY, WRITTEN AMONG THE RUINS OF A NOBLEMAN'S SEAT IN CORNWALL by EDWARD MOORE (1712-1757) |
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