Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO A HUMMING BIRD IN A GARDEN, by GEORGE MURRAY (1830-1910) First Line: Blithe playmate of the summer time Last Line: From care till all is over! Subject(s): Hummingbirds | ||||||||
BLITHE playmate of the Summer time, Admiringly I greet thee; Born in old England's misty clime, I scarcely hoped to meet thee. Com'st thou from forests of Peru, Or from Brazil's savannahs, Where flowers of every dazzling hue Flaunt, gorgeous as Sultanas? Thou scannest me with doubtful gaze, Suspicious little stranger! Fear not, thy burnished wings may blaze Secure from harm or danger. Now here, now there, thy flash is seen, Like some stray sunbeam darting, With scarce a second's space between Its coming and departing. Mate of the bird that lives sublime In Pat's immortal blunder, Spied in two places at a time, Thou challengest our wonder. Suspended by thy slender bill, Sweet blooms thou lov'st to rifle; The subtle perfumes they distil Might well thy being stifle. Surely the honey-dew of flowers Is slightly alcoholic, Or why, through burning August hours, Dost thou pursue thy frolic? What though thy throatlet never rings With music, soft or stirring; Still, like a spinning-wheel, thy wings Incessantly are whirring. How dearly I would love to see Thy tiny cara sposa, As full of sensibility As any coy mimosa! They say, when hunters track her nest Where two warm pearls are lying, She boldly fights, though sore distrest, And sends the brigands flying. What dainty epithets thy tribes Have won from men of science! Pedantic and poetic scribes For once are in alliance. Crested Coquette, and Azure Crown, Sun Jewel, Ruby-Throated, With Flaming Topaz, Crimson Down, Are names that may be quoted. Such titles aim to paint the hues That on the darlings glitter, And were we for a week to muse, We scarce could light on fitter. Farewell, bright bird! I envy thee, Gay rainbow-tinted rover; Would that my life, like thine, were free From care till all is over! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...11:02 A.M. THE BIRD DISAPPEARED by JOHN CIARDI HUMMINGBIRD by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE TO A HUMMING BIRD by GLADYS ARNE THE RUBY THROAT by RUTH BUTLER BROWN THE HUMMING-BIRD by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON A BALLAD FOR CHRISTMAS-TIDE by GEORGE MURRAY (1830-1910) A DREAM ABOUT THE ASPEN by GEORGE MURRAY (1830-1910) A LEGEND OF THE CHILD JESUS; WRITTEN FOR A CHILD by GEORGE MURRAY (1830-1910) |
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