Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CALLING THE BIRDS by KATHARINE TYNAN

First Line: WHO CLOSE BESIDE OUR WINDOW-PANE
Last Line: TOUJOURS GAI.
Subject(s): BIRDS; HAPPINESS; JOY; DELIGHT;

WHO close beside our window-pane
Whistles thrice at the dawn of day,
And listens, for his answer fain?
@3Toujours gai.@1

Who bids the merry din resound,
While oaten pipes are silvery gray,
Ere chanticleer first turns him round?
@3Toujours gai.@1

Who bids the corncrake, shrill and blithe,
Wake up on his sweet couch of hay,
And whirr against the mower's scythe?
@3Toujours gai.@1

Who hales the finch from dreams of love,
And linnet to his roundelay,
And from Love's arms the wooing dove?
@3Toujours gai.@1

Who calls the robin and the starling,
And bids the blackbird's flute to play,
The thrush to sing: O darling, darling?
@3Toujours gai.@1

Who is it wakes the sparrows' wall,
And sets a-tremble every spray,
With flutter, and chatter, and trill, and call?
@3Toujours gai.@1

This whistling thief at sweet o' the year,
O is he bird, or boy, or fay?
Mayhap, some fairy chanticleer.
@3Toujours gai.@1

May he be fed on honey and kisses,
And where the undying roses stay
Wake the sweet world to newer blisses,
@3Toujours gai.@1



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