NOW shall I tell a tale to kings Who know themselves the truth of things. Thus said a falcon, who had caught A nightingale of speckled throat Fast in his claws, and borne his prey High up among the clouds away, While on his crooked claws impaled Most piteously she wept and wailed; To her said he in haughty tone: 'Unreasonable wretch, why moan? Your captor is the stronger far, And therefore, songstress though you are, Where'er I take you, must you go: And I shall eat, or set you free Just as I choose. Insane is he Who with his betters tries a throw. He cannot win, and suffers woe Besides dishonour.' So averred The darting hawk, that long-winged bird. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE SUMMER by HAYDEN CARRUTH ESSAY ON STONE by HAYDEN CARRUTH DRUMS AND BRASS by DONALD (GRADY) DAVIDSON LITTLE SON by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON PROMISE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE YOUNG WARRIOR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CRITIC AND POET by EMMA LAZARUS ON THE PROPOSAL TO ERECT A MONUMENT IN ENGLAND TO LORD BYRON by EMMA LAZARUS |