To The Nightingale, Which The Author Heard Sing On New Years Day.
Whence is it that, amazed, I hear From yonder witherd spray, This foremost morn of all the year, The melody of May? And why, since thousands would be proud Of such a favour shown, Am I selected from the crowd To witness it alone? Singst thou, sweet Philomel, to me, For that I also long Have practised in the groves like thee, Though not like thee in song? Or singst thou, rather, under force Of some divine command, Commissiond to presage a course Of happier days at hand? Thrice welcome then! for many a long And joyless year have I, As thou to-day, put forth my song Beneath a wintry sky. But thee no wintry skies can harm, Who only needst to sing To make een January charm, And every season spring.
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"Whence is it that, amazed, I hear..."
"To The Nightingale, Which The Author Heard Sing On New Years Day." is a quintessential example of William Cowper's signature style... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...