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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE POET AND THE CAGED TURTLEDOVE, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: As often as I murmur here Last Line: I feel, but to inspire. Subject(s): Turtledoves | |||
AS often as I murmur here My half-formed melodies, Straight from her osier mansion near, The Turtledove replies: Though silent as a leaf before, The captive promptly coos; Is it to teach her own soft lore, Or second my weak Muse? I rather think, the gentle Dove Is murmuring a reproof, Displeased that I from lays of love Have dared to keep aloof; That I, a Bard of hill and dale, Have carolled, fancy free, As if nor dove nor nightingale, Had heart or voice for me. If such thy meaning, O forbear, Sweet Bird! to do me wrong; Love, blessed Love, is everywhere The spirit of my song: 'Mid grove, and by the calm fireside, Love animates my lyre -- That coo again! -- 'tis not to chide, I feel, but to inspire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TURTLE DOVES by GIOVANNI [GIOVANO] PONTANO SONNET TO THE TURTLE DOVE by ROYALL TYLER A BESTIARY: THE TURTLE DOVE by ANONYMOUS A JEWISH FAMILY; IN A SMALL VALLEY OPPOSITE ST. GOAR by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH ADMONITION [TO A TRAVELLER] by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH AN APRIL MORNING by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH ANECDOTE FOR FATHERS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH ANIMAL TRANQUILITY AND DECAY; A SKETCH by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |
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