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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PAIN IN PLEASURE, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A thought ay like a flower upon mine heart Last Line: And they will all prove sad enough to sting! Subject(s): Pain; Suffering; Misery | |||
A THOUGHT ay like a flower upon mine heart, And drew around it other thoughts like bees For multitude and thirst of sweetnesses; Whereat rejoicing, I desired the art Of the Greek whistler, who to wharf and mart Could lure those insect swarms from orange-trees, That I might hive with me such thoughts and please My soul so, always. Foolish counterpart Of a weak man's vain wishes! While I spoke, The thought I called a flower grew nettle-rough, The thoughts, called bees, stung me to festering: Oh, entertain (cried Reason as she woke) Your best and gladdest thoughts but long enough, And they will all prove sad enough to sting! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PARTHENOPHIL AND PARTHENOPHE: MADRIGAL 14 by BARNABE BARNES SONNETS IN SHADOWS: 1 by ARLO BATES IN PRAISE OF PAIN by HEATHER MCHUGH THE SYMPATIZERS by JOSEPHINE MILES LEEK STREET by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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