A Peasant to his lord yearly court, <br />Presenting pippins of so rich a sort <br />That he, displeased to have a part alone, <br />Removed the tree, that all might be his own. <br />The tree, too old to travel, though before <br />So fruitful, withered, and would yield no more. <br />The squire, perceiving all his labour void, <br />Cursed his own pains, so foolishly employed, <br />And 'Oh,' he cried, 'that I had lived content <br />With tribute, small indeed, but kindly meant! <br />My avarice has expensive proved to me, <br />Has cost me both my pippins and my tree.'<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/epigram-the-cottager-and-his-landlord-a-fable-translated-from-milton/
