06 November 2013

The Mocking Bird - An 1849 Poem


By A.B. Meek.
From the vale, what music ringing
Fills the bosom of the night!
On the sense, entranced, flinging
Spells of witchery and delight!
O'er magnolia, lime, and cedar,
From yon locust-top, it swells.
Like the chant of serenader,
Or the rhymes of silver bells!
Listen! dearest, listen to it!
Sweeter sounds were never heard!
'Tis the song of that wild poet, —
Mime and minstrel — Mocking Bird.
 
See him swinging in his glory,
On yon topmost bending limb
Caroling his amorous story,
Like some wild crusader's hymn!
Now it faints in tones delicious
As the first low vow of love!
Now it bursts in swells capricious
All the moonlit vail above!
Listen! dearest, & c.
 
Why is't thus, this sylvan Petrarch
Pours all night his serenade?
'Tis for some proud woodland cause,
His sad sonnets all are made!
But he changes not his measure, —
Gladness bubbling from his mouth, —
Jest, and jibe, and mimic pleasure, —
Winged Mercuita of the South!
Listen! dearest, & c.
 
Bird of music, wit and gladness!
Troubadour of sunny clime!
Disenchanter of all sadness!
Would thine art were in my rhyme,
O'er the heart that's beating by me.
I would weave a spell divine!
Is there ought she could deny me,
Drinking in such strains as thine?
Listen, dearest, listen to it!
Sweeter sounds were never heard!
Tis the song of that wild poet, —
Mime and minstrel — Mocking Bird.
August 30, 1849. Ebensburg Mountain Sentinel 5(47): 4.