Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. III. The Eighteenth Century: Addison to Blake

Matthew Prior (1664–1721)

A Simile

DEAR Thomas, did’st thou never pop

Thy head into a tin-man’s shop?

There, Thomas, did’st thou never see

(’Tis but by way of Simile!)

A squirrel spend his little rage,

In jumping round a rolling cage?

The cage, as either side turned up,

Striking a ring of bells a-top?—

Moved in the orb, pleased with the chimes,

The foolish creature thinks he climbs:

But here or there, turn wood or wire,

He never gets two inches higher.

So fares it with those merry blades,

That frisk it under Pindus’ shades.

In noble songs, and lofty odes,

They tread on stars, and talk with Gods;

Still dancing in an airy round,

Still pleased with their own verses’ sound;

Brought back, how fast soe’er they go,

Always aspiring, always low.