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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO BENJ. S. PARKER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: YOU SANG THE SONG OF RARE DELIGHT
Last Line: " 'TIS MORNING AND THE DAYS ARE LONG."
Subject(s): BIRDS; MORNING; SINGING & SINGERS;

YOU sang the song of rare delight
" 'Tis morning and the days are long" --
A morning fresh and fair and bright
As ever dawned in happy song;
A radiant air, and here and there
Were singing birds on sprays of bloom,
And dewy splendors everywhere,
And heavenly breaths of rose perfume --
All rapturous things were in the song
" 'Tis morning and the days are long."

O singer of the song divine,
Though now you turn your face away
With never word for me or mine
Nor smile forever and a day,
We guess your meaning, and rejoice
In what has come to you -- the meed
Beyond the search of mortal voice
And only in the song indeed --
With you forever, as the song,
" 'Tis morning and the days are long."



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