Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MOCKING BIRD, by SIDNEY LANIER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MOCKING BIRD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Superb and sole, upon a plumed spray
Last Line: The life of yon trim shakespeare on the tree?
Subject(s): Mockingbirds


SUPERB and sole, upon a plumed spray
That o'er the general leafage boldly grew,
He summ'd the woods in song; or typic drew
The watch of hungry hawks, the lone dismay
Of languid doves when long their lovers stray,
And all birds' passion-plays that sprinkle dew
At morn in brake or bosky avenue.
Whate'er birds did or dreamed, this bird could say.
Then down he shot, bounced airily along
The sward, twitched in a grasshopper, made song
Midflight, perched, prinked, and to his art again.
Sweet Science, this large riddle read me plain:
How may the death of that dull insect be
The life of yon trim Shakespeare on the tree?





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