Classic Poem

Poring on Cæsar's death with earnest eye,
I heard a fretful buzzing in the pane:
‘Poor bee!’ I cried, ‘I'll help thee by-and-by;’
Then dropp'd mine eyes upon the page again.
Alas! I did not rise; I help'd him not:
In the great voice of Roman history
I lost the pleading of the window-bee,
And all his woes and troubles were forgot.
In pity for the mighty chief, who bled
Beside his rival's statue, I delay'd
To serve the little insect's present need;
And so he died for lack of human aid.
I could not change the Roman's destiny;
I might have set the honey-maker free.