Parable Poem by Richard Wilbur

Parable

Rating: 3.5


I read how Quixote in his random ride
Came to a crossing once, and lest he lose
The purity of chance, would not decide

Whither to fare, but wished his horse to choose.
For glory lay wherever turned the fable.
His head was light with pride, his horse's shoes

Were heavy, and he headed for the stable.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Tina Lee 28 May 2004

gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood

2 3 Reply
Robert Howard 24 December 2006

I agree with the horse. Going home is glorious.

2 1 Reply
Walter Durk 01 October 2007

I like the rhythm of this piece.

2 0 Reply
Oduro Bright Amoh 21 May 2015

That time of poem that easily succeeds to bring you to laughter

2 0 Reply
Fabrizio Frosini 01 January 2016

I've modified my translation a little bit... 'Parabola' Ho letto come Chisciotte nel suo girovagare casuale Giunse un giorno ad un incrocio, e per non offendere La sorte, non avrebbe deciso quale Direzione prendere, lasciando tale scelta al suo cavallo. Perché la gloria si posa ovunque giri il mito. La sua testa era leggera per l'orgoglio, gli zoccoli del suo cavallo Pesanti, così puntò verso la stalla. -

9 0 Reply
Fabrizio Frosini 01 January 2016

- - my ITALIAN translation: Parabola - Poesia di Richard Wilbur Ho letto come Chisciotte nel suo girovagare casuale Giunse un giorno ad un incrocio, e per non offendere La sorte, non avrebbe deciso quale Direzione prendere, lasciando tale scelta al suo cavallo. Poiché la gloria si posa ovunque giri il mito. La sua testa era luminosa d'orgoglio, gli zoccoli del suo cavallo Erano pesanti, così si diresse verso la stalla.

11 0 Reply
Terry Craddock 21 May 2015

Adventure with weary travel and the risk of the road, or clean hay, a warm stable, fresh water and oats, makes good horse sense, no decision, homeward heading to a smart horse not horsing around.

3 0 Reply
Kim Barney 21 May 2015

Interesting rhyme scheme. Very enjoyable poem. The horse made the right choice.

1 0 Reply
Jasbir Chatterjee 21 May 2015

nice, humorous poem; I pity the horse...

0 0 Reply
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