Quatrain 62
Quatrain 62 of 75
“Another said—"Why, ne'er a peevish Boy
Would break the Bowl from which he drank in Joy;
Shall He that made the Vessel in pure Love
And Fansy, in an after Rage destroy!"”
Reflection · Spring
Made the Vessel in pure Love and Fancy — this pot's argument in spring is the most generous to the Creator: not just that the forming was not in vain, but that it was done in love, in the playful delight of a craftsman who enjoyed the making. Ne'er a peevish boy would break the bowl he drank from in joy — you don't smash the cup that gave you the wine. Even bad-tempered children don't destroy their pleasure-objects.
In spring this argument is the most hopeful version of the theological question. The spring blossom was made in pure Love and Fancy. Surely such delight does not end in after-rage.