SIR, when I flew to seize the bird In spite of your command, A louder voice than yours I heard, And harder to withstand. You cried "Forbear!"--but in my breast A mightier cried "Proceed!"-- 'Twas Nature, sir, whose strong behest Impelled me to the deed. Yet much as Nature I respect, I ventured once to break (As you perhaps may recollect) Her precept for your sake; And when your linnet on a day, Passing his prison door, Had fluttered all his strength away, And panting pressed the floor, Well knowing him a sacred thing, Not destined to my tooth, I only kissed his ruffled wing, And licked the feathers smooth. Let my obedience then excuse My disobedience now, Nor some reproof yourself refuse From your aggrieved Bow-wow; If killing birds be such a crime (Which I can hardly see), What think you, sir, of killing Time With verse addressed to me? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MORNING by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE PILLAR OF FAME by ROBERT HERRICK THE ODYSSEY: THE GARDENS OF ALCINOUS by HOMER ST. ISAAC'S CHURCH, PETROGRAD by CLAUDE MCKAY SONNET: DEATH-WARNINGS by FRANCISCO GOMEZ DE QUEVEDO Y VILLEGAS THE NEW WORLD; TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES by LAURENCE BINYON |