Skip to content
1792–1822

LINES TO A CRITIC.

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Honey from silkworms who can gather, Or silk from the yellow bee? The grass may grow in winter weather As soon as hate in me.

Hate men who cant, and men who pray, And men who rail like thee; An equal passion to repay They are not coy like me.

Or seek some slave of power and gold To be thy dear heart's mate; Thy love will move that bigot cold Sooner than me, thy hate.

A passion like the one I prove Cannot divided be; I hate thy want of truth and love — How should I then hate thee?

Cookies on Poetry Cove

We use cookies to remember your language preference and — only with your consent — to learn how Poetry Cove is used. You can change your mind any time.
LINES TO A CRITIC. · Percy Bysshe Shelley · Poetry Cove