Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FILBERT, by ROBERT SOUTHEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Nay, gather not that filbert, nicholas Last Line: And stoic independence of mankind. Subject(s): Animals | ||||||||
Nay, gather not that Filbert, Nicholas, There is a maggot there, . . it is his house, . . His castle, . . oh commit not burglary! Strip him not naked, . . 'tis his clothes, his shell, His bones, the case and armour of his life, And thou shalt do no murder, Nicholas! It were an easy thing to crack that nut Or with thy crackers or thy double teeth, So easily may all things be destroy'd! But 'tis not in the power of mortal man To mend the fracture of a filbert shell. There were two great men once amused themselves Watching two maggots run their wriggling race, And wagering on their speed; but Nick, to us It were no sport to see the pamper'd worm Roll out and then draw in his folds of fat, Like to some Barber's leathern powder-bag Wherewith he feathers, frosts, or cauliflowers Spruce Beau, or Lady fair, or Doctor grave. Enough of dangers and of enemies Hath Nature's wisdom for the worm ordain'd, Increase not thou the number! Him the Mouse Gnawing with nibbling tooth the shell's defence, May from his native tenement eject; Him may the Nut-hatch, piercing with strong bill, Unwittingly destroy; or to his hoard The Squirrel bear, at leisure to be crack'd. Man also hath his dangers and his foes As this poor Maggot hath; and when I muse Upon the aches, anxieties, and fears, The Maggot knows not, Nicholas, methinks It were a happy metamorphosis To be enkernell'd thus: never to hear Of wars, and of invasions, and of plots, Kings, Jacobines, and Tax-commissioners; To feel no motion but the wind that shook The Filbert Tree, and rock'd us to our rest; And in the middle of such exquisite food To live luxurious! The perfection this Of snugness! it were to unite at once Hermit retirement, Aldermanic bliss, And Stoic independence of mankind. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ROMANTIC MOMENTS by TONY HOAGLAND INSECT LIFE OF FLORIDA by LYNDA HULL THE ANIMALS by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE PRESENCES by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES BESTIARY by EARL (EARLE) BIRNEY THE FARMER'S BOY: WINTER by ROBERT BLOOMFIELD BISHOP BRUNO by ROBERT SOUTHEY |
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