Tell me, thou mild and melancholy bird,
Whence learnedst thou that meditative voice?
For all the forest–passages rejoice,
And not a note of sorrow now is heard:
I would know more: how is it I preferred
To leave the station of my morning choice,
Where, with her sudden startle of shrill noise,
The budding thorn–bush brake the blackbird stirred?
Sweet mourner, who, in time of fullest glee,
Risest to uttering but so sad a strain,
And in the bleak winds, when they ruffle thee,
Keepest thee still, and never dost complain;
I love thee: for thy note to memory brings
This sorrowing in the midst of happiest things.
(Henry Alford)
More Poetry from Henry Alford:
Henry Alford Poems based on Topics: Time, Sadness, Birds- The School Of The Heart. Lesson The Fifth. (Henry Alford Poems)
- The School Of The Heart. Lesson The Sixth (Henry Alford Poems)
- The School Of The Heart. Lesson The Fourth. (Henry Alford Poems)
- The School Of The Heart. Lesson The Second. (Henry Alford Poems)
- The School Of The Heart. Lesson The First (Henry Alford Poems)
- The School Of The Heart. Lesson The Third. (Henry Alford Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Sadness Poems, Time Poems, Birds PoemsBased on Keywords: keepest, risest, thorn-bush, learnedst