
The Plaintive Song of a Bird Recalls to him his
The Plaintive Song of a Bird Recalls to him his own Keener Sorrow is a poem written by Francesco Petrarca in the 14th century. It is part of a larger collection known as the Canzoniere, which consists of over 300 poems. The poem itself is a sonnet that explores themes of love and loss, with the speaker reflecting on his own sorrow after hearing a bird's plaintive song.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1342 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric · 341 words
First lines
Poor solitary bird, that pour'st thy lay; Or haply mournest the sweet season gone: As chilly night and winter hurry on, And day-light fades and summer flies away; If as the cares that swell thy little throat Thou knew'st alike the woes that wound my rest.
Ah, thou wouldst house thee in this kindred breast, And mix with mine thy melancholy note.
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The Plaintive Song of a Bird Recalls to him his own Keener Sorrow is listed on Textopian as a poem by Francesco Petrarca, dated 1342 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Francesco Petrarca
- Date: 1342 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric, Pastoral, Romantic
- Length: 341 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Similar titles
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Elegy — The themes revolve around mourning, loss, and sorrow, typical of elegiac poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Pastoral — The imagery of the bird and nature elements aligns with pastoral themes.
Tags
sorrow · melancholy · nature · birdsong · reflection · loss · grief · nostalgia · poetry · emotion · memory · longing
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