TELL me, O bird from the land of the Cid Why do thy tail feathers droop so low; Why art thou mute that was wont to bid Fiercest defiance to every foe? No longer thy clarion voice rings out, Pealing like thunder from earth to sky, Waking the Peche with thy joyous shout, Till rival roosters were forced to fly. The Rooster Loquacious; "Once I was youthful and passing fair, Captured first prizes at many a show, Could lick all the birds ever flew in air, And beat record time on the heel and toe. "Proud was I then of my martial past, Vain was I too of my gay topknot, Successful in war and skilled in court, Gallinaceous beauties my favors sought. "But family cares when I settled down Made the gallant topknot droop day by day, The white wings faded -- my ruddy crown Disappeared, till those charms had all fled away. "Pardon these tears, by emotion stirred, But keenest sorrow of all to know Is that once I was known as the 'sacred bird, And now they call me 'sacre oiseau!'" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPITAPH ON THE ADMIRABLE DRAMATIC POET, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE by JOHN MILTON TO THE NIGHTINGALE by JOHN MILTON FROM HIDDEN SOURCE by JEAN ANDERSON EPITAPH ON A CHILD by JEAN ANTOINE DE BAIF ON SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS by WILLIAM BLAKE THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 106. THE SUBLIME: 1 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |