Horace II, 20 by Eugene Field (1894)
The poem explores the theme of childhood innocence and its loss. It describes a boy's fascination with a swallow's nest and his subsequent destruction of it, symbolizing the end of his carefree childhood. The poem also touches on the idea that children often unknowingly destroy things they do not understand, highlighting their naivety and lack of awareness.
By Eugene Field · First published 1894 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Elegy · 238 words
First lines
Maecenas, I propose to fly To realms beyond these human portals; No common things shall be my wings, But such as sprout upon immortals.
Of lowly birth, once shed of earth, Your Horace, precious (so you've told him), Shall soar away -- no tomb of clay Nor Stygian prison house shall hold him.
Upon my skin feathers begin To warn the songster of his fleeting; But never mind -- I leave behind Songs all the world shall keep repeating.
Lo, Boston girls with corkscrew curls, And husky westerns, wild and woolly, And southern climes shall vaunt my rhymes -- And all profess to know me fully.
What this Textopian page supports
Horace II, 20 is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Elegy, Satire, Romanticism
- Length: 238 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of immortality and legacy.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — While it addresses themes of death and remembrance, it does so with a tone that rejects traditional mourning.
- Satire — The poem contains elements of satire, particularly in its commentary on societal perceptions and self-importance.
Tags
American literature · Poetry · Humor · Satire · Social commentary · Wit · Irony · Whimsy · Nostalgia · Rural life · Midwestern United States · Folk culture