The Captiv'd Bee, Or The Little Filcher Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDEBBFFGGHIJJKK AACCLLMMMNNAs Julia once a slumbering lay | A |
It chanced a bee did fly that way | A |
After a dew or dew like shower | B |
To tipple freely in a flower | B |
For some rich flower he took the lip | C |
Of Julia and began to sip | C |
But when he felt he sucked from thence | D |
Honey and in the quintessence | E |
He drank so much he scarce could stir | B |
So Julia took the pilferer | B |
And thus surprised as filchers use | F |
He thus began himself t' excuse | F |
Sweet lady flower I never brought | G |
Hither the least one thieving thought | G |
But taking those rare lips of yours | H |
For some fresh fragrant luscious flowers | I |
I thought I might there take a taste | J |
Where so much syrup ran at waste | J |
Besides know this I never sting | K |
The flower that gives me nourishing | K |
But with a kiss or thanks do pay | A |
For honey that I bear away | A |
This said he laid his little scrip | C |
Of honey 'fore her ladyship | C |
And told her as some tears did fall | L |
That that he took and that was all | L |
At which she smiled and bade him go | M |
And take his bag but thus much know | M |
When next he came a pilfering so | M |
He should from her full lips derive | N |
Honey enough to fill his hive | N |
Robert Herrick
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation