The Bee And The Pine-apple

by Wm. Cowper | Category: General | Sept 1969

The Bee allur'd by the perfume

Of a rich pine-apple in bloom,

Found it within a frame inclosed,

And licked the glass that interposed.

Blossoms of apricot and peach,

The flow'rs that blow'd within his reach,

Were arrant drugs compared with that,

He strove so vainly to get at.

No rose could yield so rare a treat,

Nor jessamine were half so sweet.

The gard'ner saw this much ado,

(The gard'ner was the master too)

And thus he said - Poor restless bee!

I learn philosophy from thee,

I learn how just it is and wise,

To use what Providence supplies,

To leave fine titles, lordships, graces,

Rich pensions, dignities, and places,

Those gifts of a superior kind,

To those for whom they were designed.

I learn that comfort dwells alone

In that heav'n has made our own,

That fools incur no greater pain,

Than pleasure coveted in vain.

Wm. Cowper | Sept 1969
General

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