Horace II, 3 by Eugene Field (1894)
The poem explores the theme of childhood innocence and its loss. It describes a child's fascination with a swallow's nest and the subsequent destruction of the nest by a group of boys. The poem highlights the cruelty and senselessness of the act, emphasizing the loss of innocence that results from it.
By Eugene Field · First published 1894 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Philosophical Poetry · 234 words
First lines
Be tranquil, Dellius, I pray; / For though you pine your life away / With dull complaining breath, / Or speed with song and wine each day -- / Still, still your doom is death.
Where the white poplar and the pine / In glorious arching shade combine / And the brook singing goes, / Bid them bring store of nard and wine / And garlands of the rose.
Let's live while chance and youth obtain -- / Soon shall you quit this fair domain / Kissed by the Tiber's gold, / And all your earthly pride and gain / Some heedless heir shall hold.
One ghostly boat shall some time bear / From scenes of mirthfulness or care / Each fated human soul! -- / Shall waft and leave his burden where / The waves of Lethe roll.
Similar titles
- Long Meter by Eugene Field
- Horace I 34 by Eugene Field
- Horace I 31 by Eugene Field
- Horace Iii 13 by Eugene Field
- Horace Iv 1 by Eugene Field
- Horace I 23 by Eugene Field
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by its personal expression of emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The themes of mortality and the transient nature of life align with the characteristics of elegiac poetry.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem reflects on life, death, and the human condition, indicating a philosophical exploration.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on nature, emotion, and individual experience aligns with Romantic literary themes.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Whimsical · Fantastical · Imaginative · Playful · Lighthearted · Witty
What this Textopian page supports
Horace II, 3 is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Philosophical Poetry, Romanticism, Classical Literature
- Length: 234 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Horace II, 3 by Eugene Field
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