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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO THE NIGHTINGALE by FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: HOW PASSING SAD! LISTEN, IT SINGS AGAIN
Last Line: AND FILL'D MY WEARY EYES WITH THE SOUL'S RAIN.
Subject(s): BIRDS; NIGHTINGALES;

How passing sad! Listen, it sings again!
Art thou a spirit, that amongst the boughs
The livelong day dost chant that wondrous strain,
Making wan Dian stoop her silver brows
Out of the clouds to hear thee? Who shall say,
Thou lone one! that thy melody is gay,
Let him come listen now to that one note
That thou art pouring o'er and o'er again
Through the sweet echoes of thy mellow throat,
With such a sobbing sound of deep, deep pain.
I prithee cease thy song! for from my heart
Thou hast made memory's bitter waters start,
And fill'd my weary eyes with the soul's rain.



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