By the craggy hill-side, Through the mosses bare, They have planted thorn-trees For pleasure here and there. If any man so daring As dig them up in spite, He shall find their sharpest thorns In his bed at night.

William Allingham
About This Quote

The thorns in the bed of the man who removed the thorn-trees was a warning to never try to steal another person’s pleasure. The idea is that there are always consequences for actions, but if you have the strength to face them head on even when they are painful, you will be rewarded with good things.

Source: The Fairies: A Poem

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More Quotes By William Allingham
  1. In youth audacity is wise
  2. By the craggy hill-side, Through the mosses bare, They have planted thorn-trees For pleasure here and there. If any man so daring As dig them up in spite, He shall find their sharpest thorns In his bed at night.
  3. Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren't go a-hunting For fear of little men.
  4. Is idleness indeed so black a crime? What are the Busy doing, half their time?
  5. Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt.
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