Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, JULIUS CAESAR AND THE HONEY-BEE, by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JULIUS CAESAR AND THE HONEY-BEE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Poring on caesar's death with earnest eye
Last Line: I might have set the honey-maker free.
Subject(s): Bees; Caesar, Julius (100-44 B.c.); Insects; Beekeeping; Bugs


Poring on Caesar's death with earnest eye,
I heard a fretful buzzing in the pane:
'Poor bee!' I cried, 'I'll help thee by-and-by';
Then dropp'd mine eyes upon the page again.
Alas! I did not rise; I help'd him not:
In the great voice of Roman history
I lost the pleading of the window-bee,
And all his woes and troubles were forgot.
In pity for the mighty chief, who bled
Beside his rival's statue, I delay'd
To serve the little insect's present need;
And so he died for lack of human aid.
I could not change the Roman's destiny;
I might have set the honey-maker free.





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