Poetry Analysis

Does the Eagle know what is in the pit?Does the Eagle know what is in the pit

Original Poetry

Does the Eagle know what is in the pit? Or wilt thou go ask the Mole: Can Wisdom be put in a silver rod? Or Love in a golden bowl?

I The daughters of the Seraphim led round their sunny flocks, All but the youngest: she in paleness sought the secret air, To fade away like morning beauty from her mortal day: Down by the river of Adona her soft voice is heard: And thus her gentle lamentation falls like morning dew.

“O life of this our Spring! why fades the lotus of the water? Why fade these children of the Spring? born but to smile & fall? Ah! Thel is like a wat’ry bow, and like a parting cloud, Like a reflection in a glass, like shadows in the water, Like dreams of infants, like a smile upon an infant’s face, Like a smile upon an infant’s face, Like a breath upon the wind, Like a transient day.”

She ceas’d, and weeping, stood in anxious fears. She saw the lowing oxen in the meadows, And her eyes were filled with tears. She saw the flowers that bloom in spring, And her heart was filled with sighs.

Then said the lily’s modesty, “Go, and see the pleasant vales of Har, And see the lovely maid of the valley, Who wanders through the fields of light.”

Thel went forth, and saw the valley, And the valley was filled with flowers. Thel walked through the valley, And the flowers spoke to her.

Translation

Does the Eagle know what is in the hole? Or will you go ask the Mole: Can Wisdom be put in a silver stick? Or Love in a golden bowl?

I The daughters of the angels led their bright flocks, Except the youngest: she, pale, sought the hidden air, To disappear like morning beauty from her earthly day: By the river of Adona her soft voice is heard: And so her gentle sorrow falls like morning dew.

“O life of our Spring! why does the water lily fade? Why do these children of Spring fade? born only to smile & fall? Ah! Thel is like a watery bow, and like a parting cloud, Like a reflection in a glass, like shadows in the water, Like dreams of babies, like a smile on a baby’s face, Like a smile on a baby’s face, Like a breath on the wind, Like a short day.”