A Nightingale who chanced to hear An Organ's deep and swelling tone, Was wont to lend a careful ear, That so she might improve her own. One evening, while the Organ's note Thrilled through the wood, and Philomel Sat tuning her melodious throat To imitate its wondrous swell, A twittering Sparrow, hopping near, Said, "Prithee, now, be pleased to state What from those wooden pipes you heat That you can wish to imitate? "I do not hesitate to say, Whatever the stupid thing can do To please us, in a vocal way, That very Organ learned from you! "Of all sweet singers none is greater Than Philomel; but, on my word! To imitate one's imitator, -- Can aught on earth be more absurd?" "Nay," said the Nightingale, "if aught From me the Organ ever learned, By him no less have I been taught, And thus the favor is returned. "Thus to my singing -- don't you see? Some needed culture I impart; For Nature's gifts, as all agree, Are finest when improved by Art!" MORAL. Whate'er the foolish Sparrow thought, The Nightingale (so Wisdom votes) Was wise in choosing to be taught E'en by an Organ's borrowed notes. And hence the Student may obtain Some useful rules to guide his course Shun self-conceit; nor e'er disdain Instruction from the humblest source | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A CAPTIOUS CRITIC by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR ECHOES: 9 by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY POLWART ON THE GREEN by ALLAN RAMSAY AN ORCHARD AT AVIGNON by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON THE FLIGHT OF YOUTH by RICHARD HENRY STODDARD THE DARK FOREST by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS BRONZE TRUMPETS AND SEA WATER; ON TURNING LATIN VERSE INTO ENGLISH by ELINOR WYLIE |