Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PARROT, by VINCENT BOURNE Poet's Biography First Line: In painted plumes superbly drest Last Line: And women are the teachers. Subject(s): Parrots; Talk | ||||||||
IN painted plumes superbly drest, A native of the gorgeous East, By many a billow tost; Poll gains at length the British shore, Part of the captain's precious store, A present to his Toast. Belinda's maids are soon preferred To teach him now and then a word, As Poll can master it; But 'tis her own important charge To qualify him more at large, And make him quite a wit. "Sweet Poll!" his doting mistress cries, "Sweet Poll!" the mimic bird replies, And calls aloud for sack. She next instructs him in the kiss; 'Tis now a little one, like Miss, And now a hearty smack. At first he aims at what he hears; And, listening close with both his ears, Just catches at the sound; But soon articulates aloud, Much to the amusement of the crowd, And stuns the neighbours round. A querulous old woman's voice His humorous talent next employs, He scolds and gives the lie. And now he sings, and now is sick, "Here Sally, Susan, come, come quick, Poor Poll is like to die!" Belinda and her bird! 'tis rare To meet with such a well-matched pair, The language and the tone, Each character in every part Sustained with so much grace and art, And both in unison. When children first begin to spell, And stammer out a syllable, We think them tedious creatures; But difficulties soon abate, When birds are to be taught to prate, And women are the teachers. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TALK; FOR MY FATHER by GREGORY ORR THE CRAZY LADY SPEAKING by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER FAMILIAR EPISTLES ON A SERMON, 'OFFICE & OPERATIONS OF HOLY SPIRIT': 2 by JOHN BYROM VERSES ON PREACHING EXTEMPORE by JOHN BYROM IF WHAT WE COULD WERE WHAT WE WOULD by EMILY DICKINSON A MANUAL MORE ANCIENT THAT THE ART OF PRINTING ... by VINCENT BOURNE |
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