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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DONKEY AND THE MOCKING-BIRD, by JOSE ROSAS MORENO Poet's Biography
First Line: A mock-bird in a village
Last Line: "a word in praise of me."
Subject(s): Birds
First Line: A mock-bird in a village
Last Line: "a word in praise of me."
Subject(s): Birds
A MOCK-BIRD in a village
Had somehow gained the skill
To imitate the voices
Of animals at will.
And, singing in his prison
Once, at the close of day,
He gave, with great precision,
The donkey's heavy bray.
Well pleased, the mock-bird's master
Sent to the neighbors 'round,
And bade them come together
To hear that curious sound.
They came, and all were talking
In praise of what they heard,
And one delighted lady
Would fain have bought the bird.
A donkey listened sadly,
And said: "Confess I must
That these are stupid people,
And terribly unjust.
"I'm bigger than the mock-bird,
And better bray than he,
Yet not a soul has uttered
A word in praise of me."
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