What The Bee Is To The Floweret.

By Thomas Moore

    HE.     What the bee is to the floweret,         When he looks for honey-dew,     Thro' the leaves that close embower it,         That, my love, I'll be to you.     SHE.     What the bank, with verdure glowing,         Is to waves that wander near,     Whispering kisses, while they're going,         That I'll be to you, my dear.     SHE.     But they say, the bee's a rover,         Who will fly, when sweets are gone;     And, when once the kiss is over,         Faithless brooks will wander on.     HE.     Nay, if flowers will lose their looks,         If sunny banks will wear away,     Tis but right that bees and brooks      Should sip and kiss them while they may.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem engages with themes of love, nature, and the transient quality of both, utilizing the form of a dialogue to provide contrasting perspectives. The structure is made up of alternating stanzas, where "he" and "she" take turns expressing their sentiments, which creates an engaging dynamic and allows for the exploration of different viewpoints in love.

The poet uses natural metaphors to illustrate the promises and fears in love. The bee seeking honey-dew from a flower, and the bank caressed by wandering waves, initially suggest a picture of harmony and mutual fulfillment. However, this idealized image is soon questioned by the fear of impermanence and infidelity, symbolized by the roving bee and wandering brook. This shift in tone from sweet hopefulness to a more sobering reality reminds us of the fleeting nature of beauty and passion, and the inherent uncertainty in love.

The concluding lines, delivered by "he", offer a pragmatic yet poignant perspective - that love, like nature, has its seasons and one must cherish it while it lasts. This acceptance of transience, far from being cynical, seems to add a layer of depth to the love expressed. The poem, in its entirety, offers a balanced view of romance, acknowledging both its sweetness and its potential for disappointment.

Standout literary devices include the use of personification and metaphor, which help to animate nature and make abstract emotions more tangible. The playful dialogue format also serves to dramatize the contrasting attitudes towards love, making the poem more dynamic and engaging.