Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ORGAN; FROM YRIARTE, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ORGAN; FROM YRIARTE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A nightingale who chanced to hear
Last Line: Instruction from the humblest source
Subject(s): Birds; Nightingales


A Nightingale who chanced to hear
An Organ's deep and swelling tone,
Was wont to lend a careful ear,
That so she might improve her own.

One evening, while the Organ's note
Thrilled through the wood, and Philomel
Sat tuning her melodious throat
To imitate its wondrous swell,

A twittering Sparrow, hopping near,
Said, "Prithee, now, be pleased to state
What from those wooden pipes you heat
That you can wish to imitate?

"I do not hesitate to say,
Whatever the stupid thing can do
To please us, in a vocal way,
That very Organ learned from you!

"Of all sweet singers none is greater
Than Philomel; but, on my word!
To imitate one's imitator, --
Can aught on earth be more absurd?"

"Nay," said the Nightingale, "if aught
From me the Organ ever learned,
By him no less have I been taught,
And thus the favor is returned.

"Thus to my singing -- don't you see?
Some needed culture I impart;
For Nature's gifts, as all agree,
Are finest when improved by Art!"

MORAL.

Whate'er the foolish Sparrow thought,
The Nightingale (so Wisdom votes)
Was wise in choosing to be taught
E'en by an Organ's borrowed notes.

And hence the Student may obtain
Some useful rules to guide his course
Shun self-conceit; nor e'er disdain
Instruction from the humblest source





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