Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HAST THOU HEARD THE NIGHTINGALE?, by RICHARD WATSON GILDER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HAST THOU HEARD THE NIGHTINGALE?, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Yes, I have heard the nightingale
Last Line: Yes, I have heard the nightingale.
Subject(s): Birds; Nightingales


YES, I have heard the nightingale.
As in dark woods I wandered,
And dreamed and pondered,
A voice passed by all fire
And passion and desire;
I rather felt than heard
The song of that lone bird:
Yes, I have heard the nightingale.

Yes, I have heard the nightingale.
I heard it, and I followed;
The warm night swallowed
This soul and body of mine,
As burning thirst takes wine,
While on and on I pressed
Close to that singing breast:
Yes, I have heard the nightingale.

Yes, I have heard the nightingale.
Well doth each throbbing ember
The flame remember;
And I, how quick that sound
Turned drops from a deep wound!
How this heart was the thorn
Which pierced that breast forlorn!
Yes, I have heard the nightingale.





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