Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN EMBLEM OF THE SHORTNESS OF HUMAN PLEASURE; TO THE GRASSHOPPER by SAMUEL SAY

First Line: LITTLE INSECT! THAT ON HIGH
Last Line: BUT THE WINTER LONG REMAINS.
Subject(s): GRASSHOPPERS; LIFE; TIME;
Little insect! that on high,
On a spine of springing grass,
Tipsy with the morning dew,
Free from care thy life dost pass:

So may'st thou, companion sole,
Please the lonely mower's ear,
And no treacherous winding snake
Glide beneath to work thee fear,

As in chirping plaintive notes
Thou the hasty sun doth chide,
And with murmuring music charm,
Summer, long with us t'abide.

If a pleasant day arrive,
Soon the pleasant day is gone:
While we reach to seize our joys,
Swift the wingèd bliss is flown.

Pains and sorrows dwell with us;
Pleasure scarce a moment reigns:
Thou thyself find'st summer short;
But the winter long remains.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net