You think he sings a gladsome song! Ah, well, he @3sings!@1 but only see How oft on glossy neck and breast His bright head droops despondingly; Or note the restless, eager bird When a @3free@1 minstrel's voice is heard. You think because he pecks his grain With vigorous mien and active bill, This long captivity has trained To tame content his roving will. But watch, as some wild opinion flies, Flashed near his cage, from summer skies: He lifts his crest, his eyes dilate To yearning orbs of passionate fire; His whole small body seems to thrill, And vibrate to the heart's desire: The deathless wish once more to roam The broad blue heaven God made his home. Mark, next, the weary pant, the sigh Of hope deferred, that follows then; Perchance your captive's pain is deep As that which haunts imprisoned @3men,@1 Pining behind @3their@1 cruel bars For sunlight or the holy stars. Come! ope the door! he owns a soul As tender, sensitive and fine As yours or mine -- for aught @3we@1 know, And dowered with rights scarce less Divine; Come! let him choose, at least, between God's azure and yon gilded screen! Freed! yet he flies not! -- Wait! -- his brain Is dazed! -- he comprehends not yet How earnest is your proffered boon, -- How surely his the glorious debt Of freedom and all free-born things: Wait! -- ha! he prunes his doubtful wings. Hops, perch by perch, to gain the door; Then, as if first conviction came, Full-faced, and whispered, "@3thou art free!@1" He darts without, a winged flame, And soon from far, fair cloudland floats The rapture of his grateful notes! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RAVEN; A CHRISTMAS TALE, TOLD BY A SCHOOL-BOY by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE TO GOD AND IRELAND TRUE by ELLEN O'LEARY AT FLORENCE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH BY WAY OF THE STARS by LEVI BISHOP PREPARATIONS FOR VICTORY by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN M. T. W. by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN LOVE SONGS: 9. A SIGH FROM OXFORD by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |