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Poem
February 21, 1829
The Delaware Register, Or, Farmers', Manufacturers' & Mechanics' Advocate
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
What is this article about?
A mother teaches her child moral lessons through observations of birds: the lark's praise, the dove's fidelity, the eagle's courage, and the swan's serene death, urging virtuous living.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Token for 1829
WHAT IS THAT, MOTHER?
BY THE REV. GEORGE W. DOANE.
What is that, Mother?
The lark, my child!
The morn has but just looked out, and smiled,
When he starts from his humble grassy nest,
And is up and away with the dew on his breast,
And a hymn in his heart to yon pure bright sphere,
To warble it out in his Maker's ear.
Ever, my child, be thy morn's first lays
Tuned, like the lark's, to thy Maker's praise.
What is that, Mother?
The dove, my son!
And that low sweet voice, like a widow's moan,
Is flowing out from her gentle breast,
Constant and pure by that lonely nest,
As the wave is poured from some crystal urn,
For her distant dear one's quick return.
Ever, my son, be thou like the dove,
In friendship as faithful, as constant in love.
What is that, Mother ?
The eagle, boy!
Proudly careering his course of joy,
Firm, in his own mountain vigor relying,
Breast the dark storm, the red bolt defying,
His wing on the wind, and his eye in the sun,
He swerves not a hair, but bears onward, right on.
Boy, may the eagle's flight ever be thine,
Onward and upward, and true to the line.
What is that, Mother?
The swan, my love!
He is floating down from his native grove,
No loved one now, no nestling nigh,
He is floating down by himself to die:
Death darkens his eye, unplumes his wings,
Yet his sweetest song is the last he sings.—
Live so, my love, that when death shall come,
Swan-like and sweet, it may waft thee home!
WHAT IS THAT, MOTHER?
BY THE REV. GEORGE W. DOANE.
What is that, Mother?
The lark, my child!
The morn has but just looked out, and smiled,
When he starts from his humble grassy nest,
And is up and away with the dew on his breast,
And a hymn in his heart to yon pure bright sphere,
To warble it out in his Maker's ear.
Ever, my child, be thy morn's first lays
Tuned, like the lark's, to thy Maker's praise.
What is that, Mother?
The dove, my son!
And that low sweet voice, like a widow's moan,
Is flowing out from her gentle breast,
Constant and pure by that lonely nest,
As the wave is poured from some crystal urn,
For her distant dear one's quick return.
Ever, my son, be thou like the dove,
In friendship as faithful, as constant in love.
What is that, Mother ?
The eagle, boy!
Proudly careering his course of joy,
Firm, in his own mountain vigor relying,
Breast the dark storm, the red bolt defying,
His wing on the wind, and his eye in the sun,
He swerves not a hair, but bears onward, right on.
Boy, may the eagle's flight ever be thine,
Onward and upward, and true to the line.
What is that, Mother?
The swan, my love!
He is floating down from his native grove,
No loved one now, no nestling nigh,
He is floating down by himself to die:
Death darkens his eye, unplumes his wings,
Yet his sweetest song is the last he sings.—
Live so, my love, that when death shall come,
Swan-like and sweet, it may waft thee home!
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Nature Seasons
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Mother Teaching
Birds Metaphors
Lark Praise
Dove Fidelity
Eagle Courage
Swan Death
Moral Lessons
What entities or persons were involved?
By The Rev. George W. Doane.
Poem Details
Title
What Is That, Mother?
Author
By The Rev. George W. Doane.
Subject
Moral Lessons From Birds To A Child
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Ever, My Child, Be Thy Morn's First Lays
Tuned, Like The Lark's, To Thy Maker's Praise.
Ever, My Son, Be Thou Like The Dove,
In Friendship As Faithful, As Constant In Love.
Boy, May The Eagle's Flight Ever Be Thine,
Onward And Upward, And True To The Line.
Live So, My Love, That When Death Shall Come,
Swan Like And Sweet, It May Waft Thee Home!