Pain In Pleasure - A poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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Elizabeth Barrett Browning - Pain In Pleasure

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 !

Added: on April 14th, 2006 at 2:34 AM | Viewed: 1793 times | Comments (2)

Pain In Pleasure - Comments and Information
Poet: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Poem: Pain In Pleasure Comment 2 of 2, added on July 13th, 2009 at 12:01 AM. Actually when looking further onto it, it seems to me to be about how when at first we think about memories or thoughts which make us happy, they seem so great and amazing. yet the more we remain in this thought, the more we realise that even such a moment of pleasure, was filled with much pain... A sort of cynicism..but that's just me I suppose. Zach from United Kingdom Comment 1 of 2, added on April 14th, 2006 at 2:34 AM. The thought that came to me is that we do not manage our self confidence and that our beginning thoughts about ourselves may be positive but as we let our doubts creep in, our thoughts turn from flowers that are lovely to smell to bees that sting. Sharon Jensen from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Pain In Pleasure, has received 2 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Pain In Pleasure Last read: 2009-11-20 15:55:33 Viewed 1793 times. Added on April 14th, 2006 at 2:34 AM.

Browning Info
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