ONE balmy day in gentle June, While sporting in my bath so free, In came a friend with perfumed clay, And gave the fragrant mass to me. Art thou of musk or ambergris? Thou art like both: I cannot tell Whence comes the charm, but this I know, I am delighted with thy smell. "I was a piece of worthless clay Until the blooming rose I knew; For by its side I drank delight, And drank its heavenly fragrance too. "But for that rose I should be still Mere worthless clay for idle ends; Learn well the lesson I impart— Be careful in your choice of friends." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHAT I'VE BELIEVED IN by JAMES GALVIN DEAD LEAVES by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MEMORY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |