THE shepherd touched his reed; sweet Philomel Essayed, and oft essayed to catch the strain, And treasuring, as on her ear they fell, The numbers, echoed note for note again. The peevish youth, who ne'er had found before A rival of his skill, indignant heard, And soon (for various was his tuneful store) In loftier tones defied the simple bird. She dared the task, and rising, as he rose, With all the force that passion gives inspired, Returned the sounds awhile, but in the close, Exhausted fell, and at his feet expired. Thus strength, not skill, prevailed. O fatal strife, By thee, poor songstress, playfully begun! And oh, sad victory, which cost thy life, And he may wish that he had never won. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 7. THE SILENCE by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER THE VANISHING BOAT by EDMUND WILLIAM GOSSE GOING AND STAYING by THOMAS HARDY NEW YEAR'S EVE by THOMAS HARDY MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 4 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI SONGS OF TRAVEL: 2. YOUTH AND LOVE: 1 by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON SACRED LYRIC by ISIDORE G. ASCHER |