Another Song Of A Fool

William Butler Yeats

 Next Poem          

This great purple butterfly,
In the prison of my hands,
Has a learning in his eye
Not a poor fool understands.

Once he lived a schoolmaster
With a stark, denying look;
A string of scholars went in fear
Of his great birch and his great book.

Like the clangour of a bell,
Sweet and harsh, harsh and sweet.
That is how he learnt so well
To take the roses for his meat.

Next Poem 

 Back to William Butler Yeats

To be able to leave a comment here you must be registered. Log in or Sign up.