Sonnet Written on the Author's Birthday
Listening to a thrush on a leafless bough, the speaker compares its cheerful song amid winter to contentment amid poverty. He thanks the giver of the new day for joys wealth cannot give or take away, then offers to share what little he has with someone burdened by poverty and care.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Sonnet, Meditative Poetry · 182 words
First lines
On hearing a Thrush sing in his Morning Walk.
Sing on, sweet thrush, upon the leafless bough, / Sing on, sweet bird, I listen to thy strain, / See aged Winter, 'mid his surly reign, / At thy blythe carol, clears his furrowed brow.
So in lone Poverty's dominion drear, / Sits meek Content with light, unanxious heart; / Welcomes the rapid moments, bids them part, / Nor asks if they bring ought to hope or fear.
I thank thee, Author of this opening day! / Thou whose bright sun now gilds yon orient skies! / Riches denied, thy boon was purer joys- / What wealth could never give nor take away!
Genres
- Sonnet — Fourteen rhymed lines move from a thrush's song through reflection and thanksgiving to a closing couplet offering to share.
- Meditative Poetry — The speaker reflects on contentment in poverty and gives thanks for joys that wealth cannot supply or remove.
Tags
thrush · poverty · contentment · gratitude · generosity · morning · sonnet
What this Textopian page supports
Sonnet Written on the Author's Birthday is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Sonnet, Meditative Poetry
- Length: 182 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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