Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CANARY IN HIS CAGE, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK Poet's Biography First Line: Sing away, ay, sing away Last Line: "bear it with a cheerful mind." Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria Subject(s): Canaries | ||||||||
SING away, ay, sing away, Merry little bird, Always gayest of the gay, Though a woodland roundelay You ne'er sung nor heard; Though your life from youth to age Passes in a narrow cage. Near the window wild birds fly, Trees are waving round: Fair things everywhere you spy Through the glass pane's mystery, Your small life's small bound: Nothing hinders your desire But a little gilded wire. Like a human soul you seem Shut in golden bars: Placed amidst earth's sunshine-stream, Singing to the morning beam, Dreaming 'neath the stars: Seeing all life's pleasures clear, -- But they never can come near. Never! Sing, bird-poet mine, As most poets do; -- Guessing by an instinct fine At some happiness divine Which they never knew. Lonely in a prison bright Hymning for the world's delight. Yet, my birdie, you're content In your tiny cage: Not a carol thence is sent But for happiness is meant -- Wisdom pure as sage: Teaching, the true poet's part Is to sing with merry heart. So, lie down thou peevish pen, Eyes, shake off all tears; And my wee bird, sing again: I'll translate your song to men In these future years. "Howsoe'er thy lot's assigned, Bear it with a cheerful mind." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WILD CANARIES by CLARA P. ENTREKIN THE JUDGE AND THE BIRD by LOUIS ZUKOFSKY A CANARY AT THE FARM by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY THE CAPTIVE by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD THE CLASSIC CANARY ON ITS DEATH, BY A STUDENT by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER MY CANARY BIRD by WALT WHITMAN MY CANARY'S RHAPSODY by ZOE ACKERMAN BY THE ALMA RIVER by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK DOUGLAS, DOUGLAS, TENDER AND TRUE by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK |
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