Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BIRDS, by RENE FRANCOIS ARMAND PRUDHOMME



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BIRDS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mount! Mount! Ye birds who scorn the clods
Last Line: Wings, whence a voice high as the thrilled heart soar.
Alternate Author Name(s): Sully-prudhomme
Subject(s): Birds


MOUNT! mount! ye birds who scorn the clods, ye strong,
Who of dull weight are the sole conquerors.
Yours, cloudless days and air; to you belong
Wings that lift sight as far as fancy soars.

Who of all living things by nature made
Can soar o'er forests with such easy flight;
Who so well mark the waves of green displayed;
Who follow the four winds in rapid raid,
Or view the sun so near without affright?

Who on the giddy cliff has placed his nest
So high, he sees the vessels 'neath him rock?
Who night outruns, of time-like speed possest,
So swift, that flags he bent when in the west,
When reached the east, still tremble 'neath the shock?

Fly! fly! ye birds who scorn the clods, and, strong,
Are of dull weight the only conquerors.
Yours, boundless space and day; to you belong
Wings that lift sight as far as spirit soars.

You thrill the leaves with your glad fluttering,
Your forest minstrels charm the ears and sight;
Blest by the village folk when comes the spring,
You to girls' lips for crumbs and kisses cling.
From heaven you come, and bring its fresh delight.

When victims wan, who mourn their exiled state,
See your flocks vanish like glad times away,
Less do they feel the pangs of patriot hate;
And guilty wretches, justly scourged by Fate,
Still something love when listening to your lay.

Sing! sing! ye birds, who scorn the clods, and, strong,
Are of dull weight the only conquerors.
Yours freedom, yours the sky; to you belong
Wings, whence a voice high as the thrilled heart soar.





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