Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO JOANNA, ON SENDING ME THE LEAF OF A FLOWER ... WORDSWORTH'S GARDEN, by BERNARD BARTON Poet's Biography First Line: Joanna! Though I well can guess Last Line: I in one page will place you! Alternate Author Name(s): Quaker Poet Subject(s): Leaves; Poetry & Poets; Wordsworth, William (1770-1850) | ||||||||
JOANNA! though I well can guess That in mirth's very idleness, And raillery's enjoyment, This leaf is sent; it shall not lose Its errand, but afford the Muse Some minutes' light employment. Thou sent'st it, in thy naughty wit, As emblem, type, or symbol, fit For a mere childish rhymer; And I accept it, not as such, But as indicative of much Lovelier, and far sublimer. I own, as over it I pore, It is a simple leaf, no more: And further, without scandal, It is so delicate and small, One see 'twas never meant at all For boorish grasp to handle. But in itself, for aught I see, 'Tis perfect as a leaf can be; Nor can I doubt a minute, That on the spot where first it grew, It had each charm of shape, and hue, And native sweetness in it. I own, without all "ifs" and "buts," That, as I see it now, it cuts A very puny figure; And looks like garbled passages, Which certain critics, when they please, Can comment on with vigour. But 'tis not by one leaf alone, The beauty of the flower is known; Nor do I rank a poet By parts, that critics may think fit To quote, who, "redolent of wit," Take up his works to show it. If on its stem, this leaf display'd Beauty which sought no artful aid, And scatter'd fragrance round it; If the sweet flower on which it grew Was graceful, natural, lovely too, Delighting all who found it: Then will I own that flower to be A type of Wordsworth, or of thee; For kindred virtues grace you; And though the bard may think me bold, And thou mayst half resolve to scold, I in one page will place you! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE YOUTH OF NATURE: WORDSWORTH'S COUNTRY by MATTHEW ARNOLD RESOLUTION OF DEPENDENCE by GEORGE BARKER ON A PORTRAIT OF WORDSWORTH BY B.R. HAYDON by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE LOST LEADER by ROBERT BROWNING DON JUAN: DEDICATION [OR, INVOCATION] by GEORGE GORDON BYRON ON WORDSWORTH by DAVID HARTLEY COLERIDGE TO WILLIAM WORDSWORTH by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE WHITE KNIGHT'S SONG by CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON BRUCE AND THE SPIDER by BERNARD BARTON |
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