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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE NIGHTINGALE, by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: O nightingale, best poet of the grove
Last Line: O mourn with me, sweet bird, my hapless flame.
Variant Title(s): Song
Subject(s): Birds; Nightingales
First Line: O nightingale, best poet of the grove
Last Line: O mourn with me, sweet bird, my hapless flame.
Variant Title(s): Song
Subject(s): Birds; Nightingales
O nightingale, best poet of the grove,
That plaintive strain can ne'er belong to thee,
Bless'd in the full possession of thy love:
O lend that strain, sweet Nightingale, to me!
'Tis mine, alas! to mourn my wretched fate:
I love a maid who all my bosom charms,
Yet lose my days without this lovely mate;
Inhuman fortune keeps her from my arms.
You, happy birds! by nature's simple laws
Lead your soft lives, sustain'd by nature's fare;
You dwell wherever roving fancy draws,
And love and song is all your pleasing care:
But we, vain slaves of interest and of pride,
Dare not be bless'd, lest envious tongues should blame:
And hence, in vain, I languish for my bride!
O mourn with me, sweet bird, my hapless flame.
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THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE IS LIKE THE SCENT OF SYRINGA by MINA LOY
THE NIGHTINGALE IN BADELUNDA by TOMAS TRANSTROMER
THE NIGHTINGALE by PAUL VERLAINE
ODE, FR. THE PASSIONATE PILGRIM by RICHARD BARNFIELD
NIGHTINGALES by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES
BIANCA AMONG THE NIGHTINGALES by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
THE NIGHTINGALE; A CONVERSATION POEM by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
HYMN ON SOLITUDE by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748)
THE CASTLE OF INDOLENCE: CANTO 1 by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748)