A NIGHTINGALE made a mistake; - She sang a few notes out of tune; Her heart was ready to break, #NAME? She wrung her claws, poor thing! - But was far too proud to weep; She tucked her head under her wing, #NAME? A lark, arm in arm with a thrush, - Came sauntering up to the place; The nightingale felt herself blush, #NAME? She knew they had heard her song, - She felt them snicker and sneer; She thought that life was too long, #NAME? Oh, Nightingale, cooed a dove - - " Oh, Nightingale, what's the use? You bird of beauty and love, #NAME? Don't skulk away from our sight, - Like a common, contemptible fowl; You bird of joy and delight, #NAME? Only think of all you have done, - Only think of all you can do; A false note is really fun - From such a bird as you! Lift up your proud little crest, - Open your musical beak; Other birds have to do their best - - You need only to speak. " The nightingale shyly took - Her head from under her wing, And, giving the dove a look, #NAME? There was never a bird could pass; - The night was divinely calm, And the people stood on the grass #NAME? The nightingale did not care; - She only sang to the skies; Her song ascended there, #NAME? The people that stood below - She knew but little about; And this tale has a moral, I know, - If you'll try to find it out. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DEATH OF THE HIRED MAN by ROBERT FROST THE CHARACTER OF HOLLAND by ANDREW MARVELL SONNETS TO LAURA IN LIFE: 109 by PETRARCH THE FOOL'S PRAYER by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL THE CITY OF DREADFUL NIGHT: 21 by JAMES THOMSON (1834-1882) PEACE GUARANTEED by MARY J. ARMSTRONG MARIE MIGNOT by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |