Go not too near a House of Rose－1
The depredation of a Breeze－
Or inundation of a Dew
Alarms its walls away－
Nor try to tie the Butterfly, 5
Nor climb the Bars of Ecstasy,
In insecurity to lie
Is Joy's insuring quality.
The depredation of a Breeze－
Or inundation of a Dew
Alarms its walls away－
Nor try to tie the Butterfly, 5
Nor climb the Bars of Ecstasy,
In insecurity to lie
Is Joy's insuring quality.
(F.1479/J.1434)
[1–8]:: This poem is about Sense and Sensibility (1811) by Jane Austen.
[1] House of Rose:: a wealthy family, the Ferrars; Mrs. Ferrars desired both her sons should marry well.
[2] Breeze:: gentle acts, soft words.
[3] Dew:: teardrop.
[4] Alarm, away:: Elinor Dashwood with her sense, gentleness, and much suffering, married Edward Ferrars at the end.
[5] Butterfly:: a light-headed, inconstant person (OED 2a); John Willoughby.
[5, 6] tie, Ecstasy:: Marianne Dashwood, a romantic, passionate girl (the sensibility), tried to tie Willoughby but failed.
[7] insecurity to lie:: Marianne cheated others that she was engaged with Willoughby.
[8] Joy's insuring:: Marianne married Colonel Brandon; the story has a joyful ending.