A Thought Entertained ~

Pain In Pleasure

by

Elizabeth Barret Browning

A thought lay 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!