"The rose-tree is not made to bear the violet bl ue, nor the lily fair, nor the sweet mignionet." - The poet states that nothing is meant to be more than what it already is.
"if this tree where discontent, or wished to change it's natural bent, it all in vein would fret" - The poet states it's frivolous to worry about being something that you're not as nothing can come of it.
"should it fret, you would suppose it ne'er had seen it's own red rose, nor after gentle shower had ever smelled it's rose's scent." - The fixation on changing it's natural form inhibits it from seeing the assets it already has and prevents it from appreciating them.
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Envy - Mary Lamb - Quotes
"Like such a blind and senseless tree as I've imagined this to be, all envious persons are"- The poet views envious people as blind to their own assets and she sees the idea of being envious of someone or something else to be completely irrational.
"With care and culture all may find some pretty flower in their own mind, some talent that is rare." - There is no reason to be envious of others as everyone has something unique and valuable.
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Envy - Mary Lamb - Structure
Follows a strict rhyme scheme (AABCCB) in each stanza. - Deviates from this rhyme sceme in lines 15+17 where there is a slant rhyme (half rhyme) (are + rare) as opposed to a full rhyme. This isolates these lines, making them stand out, thus further enforcing the poets point.
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