Bird of the Tropic! thou, who lov'st to stray, Where thy long pinions sweep the sultry line, Or mark'st the bounds which torrid beams confine By thy averted course, that shuns the ray Oblique, enamored of sublimer day -- Oft' on yon cliff thy folded plumes recline, And drop those snowy feathers Indians twine, To crown the warrior's brow with honors gay -- O'er trackless oceans what impels thy wing? Does no soft instinct in thy soul prevail? No sweet affection to thy bosom cling, And bid thee oft thy absent nest bewail? -- Yet thou again to that dear spot can'st spring -- But I my long-lost home no more shall hail! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE DRIVING CLOUD by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW DANUBE AND THE EUXINE by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN ROMANCE OF BRUNETTES AND BLONDES by JACQUES BARON A LOVE BARGAINE by JOSEPH BEAUMONT CORONATION ODE by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |