Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONGS OF THE VOICES OF BIRDS: INTRODUCTION. EAGLES, by JEAN INGELOW


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONGS OF THE VOICES OF BIRDS: INTRODUCTION. EAGLES, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Look you now / this vessel's off the rocks, a tidy craft
Last Line: "she must be called ""the eagle"" after these."
Subject(s): Birds; Eagles


MARTIN, the Boatman. Look you now,
This vessel's off the stocks, a tidy craft.
Child. A schooner, Martin?
Martin. No, boy, no; a brig,
Only she's schooner-rigged—a lovely craft.
Child. Is she for me? O, thank you, Martin dear.
What shall I call her?
Martin. Well, sir, what you please.
Child. Then write on her "The Eagle."
Martin. Bless the child!
Eagle! Why, you know nought of eagles, you.
When we lay off the coast, up Canada way,
And chanced to be ashore when twilight fell,
That was the place for eagles; bald they were,
With eyes as yellow as gold.
Child. O, Martin dear,
Tell me about them.
Martin. Tell! there's nought to tell,
Only they snored o' nights and frighted us.
Child. Snored?
Martin. Ay, I tell you, snored; they slept upright
In the great oaks by scores; as true as time,
If I'd had aught upon my mind just then,
I wouldn't have walked that wood for unknown gold;
It was most awful. When the moon was full,
I've seen them fish at night, in the middle watch,
When she got low. I've seen them plunge like stones,
And come up fighting with a fish as long,
Ay, longer than my arm; and they would sail—
When they had struck its life out—they would sail—
Over the deck, and show their fell, fierce eyes,
And croon for pleasure, hug the prey, and speed
Grand as a frigate on a wind.
Child. My ship,
She must be called "The Eagle" after these.





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