THE nightingale I had not heard, Though charmed by many another bird; If no one tells me it is her, How shall I know whose voice is near? She sings, I'm told, in some dark wood, Ten yards of moonlight from the road. This night, as I go forth alone, Before the month of June has gone, What voice is this among the trees, So startling sweet? The matchless ease, The passion, power that will not fail -- The nightingale! The nightingale! I ask no man what bird is this, The singer of such pain and bliss; All other birds sing from their throats, But from her heart come this bird's notes: To them I give my common cheers, But you, my love, I thank with tears. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HERETIC: 4. HUMILITY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE MEDAL; A SATIRE AGAINST SEDITION by JOHN DRYDEN WHEN FIRST MY WAY by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN THE FIDDLER OF DOONEY by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE CASE OF SABRINA SIMPSON USCH by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |