That is not half the way to tell
What fancy is about;
So pray now tell me more.
BROTHER
Sister, I think 'twere quite as well
That you should find it out;
So think the matter o'er.
SISTER
It's what comes in our heads when we
Play at "Let's make believe,"
And when we play at "Guessing."
BROTHER
And I have heard it said to be
A talent often makes us grieve,
And sometimes proves a blessing.
ANGER
Anger in its time and place
May assume a kind of grace.
It must have some reason in it,
And not last beyond a minute.
If to further lengths it go,
It does into malice grow.
'Tis the difference that we see
'Twixt the Serpent and the Bee.
If the latter you provoke,
It inflicts a hasty stroke,
Puts you to some little pain,
But it never stings again.
Close in tufted bush or brake
Lurks the poison-swelled snake,
Nursing up his cherish'd wrath.
In the purlieus of his path,
In the cold, or in the warm,
Mean him good, or mean him harm,
Whensoever fate may bring you,
The vile snake will always sting you.