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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CLASSIC CANARY ON ITS DEATH, BY A STUDENT by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER

First Line: FAREWELL SWEET BIRD, SO WINSOME AND SO WISE!
Last Line: AND LEAVES THEE HOPPING TO THE ASPHODELS.
Subject(s): CANARIES; CHARON; STYX (RIVER);

Farewell, sweet bird, so winsome and so wise!
How oft I saw thee hop along the page
Of classic poet or historian sage,
With thy low note and quick enquiring eyes.
Methinks - thou wert so fond of ancient lore -
A classic welcome in the shades below
Awaits thee, now thy learned life is o'er;
To fair Elysian meadows thou shalt go,
A pleasant region without rain or storm;
Perchance, even now, while my fond memory dwells
On all thy quaint, amusing pedantry,
The chirp, the glance, the little saffron form,
From thy small beak old Charon takes a fee,
And leaves thee hopping to the asphodels.



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