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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 3. TO THE CUCKOO, by MARK AKENSIDE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O rustic herald of the spring Last Line: The cuckoo joins his lay. Subject(s): Cuckoos | |||
I. O RUSTIC herald of the spring, At length in yonder woody vale Fast by the brook I hear thee sing; And, studious of thy homely tale, Amid the vespers of the grove, Amid the chanting choir of love, Thy sage responses hail. II. The time has been when I have frown'd To hear thy voice the woods invade; And while thy solemn accent drown'd Some sweeter poet of the shade, Thus, thought I, thus the sons of care Some constant youth or generous fair With dull advice upbraid. III. I said, "While Philomela's song Proclaims the passion of the grove, It ill beseems a cuckoo's tongue Her charming language to reprove "— Alas, how much a lover's ear Hates all the sober truth to hear, The sober truth of love! IV. When hearts are in each other bless'd, When nought but lofty faith can rule The nymph's and swain's consenting breast, How cuckoo-like in Cupid's school, With store of grave, prudential saws On fortune's power and custom's laws, Appears each friendly fool! V. Yet think betimes, ye gentle train Whom love and hope and fancy sway, Who every harsher care disdain, Who by the morning judge the day, Think that, in April's fairest hours, To warbling shades and painted flowers The cuckoo joins his lay. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SILVER SWANS: 14. HOTOTOGISU - HOROBIRETE by KENNETH REXROTH ODE TO THE CUCKOO by MICHAEL BRUCE AMORETTI: 19 by EDMUND SPENSER TO THE CUCKOO (1) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 6. SPRING by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM THE CUCKOO by ALEXANDER ANDERSON NIGHTINGALE AND CUCKOO by ALFRED AUSTIN A CUCKOO SONG by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE VIRTUOSO; IN IMITATION OF SPENCER'S STYLE AND STANZA by MARK AKENSIDE |
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