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.
(William Butler Yeats)
More Poetry from William Butler Yeats:
William Butler Yeats Poems based on Topics: Books, Education, Fear, Learning, Butterflies- A Man Young And Old (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- A Lover's Quarrel Among the Fairies (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- A Deep-Sworn Vow (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- The Lady's First Song (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- Under Saturn (William Butler Yeats Poems)
- Three Songs To The One Burden (William Butler Yeats Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Fear Poems, Education Poems, Books Poems, Learning Poems, Butterflies PoemsBased on Keywords: clangour, schoolmaster