Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE NIGHTINGALE WHICH THE AUTHOR HEARD ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, by WILLIAM COWPER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE NIGHTINGALE WHICH THE AUTHOR HEARD ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Whence is it, that amazed I hear
Last Line: And every season spring.
Subject(s): Birds; Nightingales


WHENCE is it, that amazed I hear
From yonder withered spray,
This foremost morn of all the year,
The melody of May?

And why, since thousands would be proud
Of such a favour shown,
Am I selected from the crowd,
To witness it alone?

Sing'st thou, sweet Philomel, to me,
For that I also long
Have practised in the groves like thee,
Though not like thee, in song?
Or sing'st thou rather, under force
Of some divine command,
Commissioned to presage a course
Of happier days at hand?

Thrice welcome then! for many a long
And joyless year have I,
As thou to-day, put forth my song
Beneath a wintry sky.

But thee no wintry skies can harm,
Who only need'st to sing,
To make even January charm,
And every season Spring.




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