Song by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Name: Song
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem presents a vivid and enchanting scene where a bird, illuminated by a shaft of sunlight, captures the essence of fleeting beauty and the transient nature of love. The bird's vibrant colors and lively movements symbolize joy and vitality, yet its song conveys a bittersweet message about the impermanence of love and dreams. The bird bids farewell, suggesting that love's promises are often unfulfilled and that the beauty of life, represented by the blossoms and dew-drops, is ephemeral. The reference to May evokes a sense of renewal and hope, yet the urgency in the bird's departure emphasizes the inevitability of change and the passage of time. Overall, the work explores themes of beauty, love, and the inevitability of loss, encapsulated in the contrast between the joyous imagery of the bird and the melancholic undertones of its farewell. The interplay of light and color serves to enhance the emotional depth, inviting reflection on the nature of existence and the fleeting moments that define it.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1794 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 168 words

First lines

SUNG BY GLYCINE IN _ZAPOLYA_, ACT II. SCENE 2.

A Sunny shaft did I behold, From sky to earth it slanted: And poised therein a bird so bold -- Sweet bird, thou wert enchanted!

He sunk, he rose, he twinkled, he trolled Within that shaft of sunny mist; His eyes of fire, his beak of gold, All else of amethyst!

And thus he sang: "Adieu! adieu! Love's dreams prove seldom true. The blossoms they make no delay: The sparkling dew-drops will not stay. Sweet month of May, We must away; Far, far away! To-day! to-day! "

What this Textopian page supports

Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1794 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1794 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Symbolism, Elegiac Poetry
Length: 168 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Romantic Poetry — The poem embodies the characteristics of Romanticism, focusing on nature, emotion, and individual experience.
Lyric Poetry — The work expresses personal feelings and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry, through its musicality and emotional depth.
Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of nature and the celebration of the natural world are central themes in the poem.
Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the bird and the sunny shaft, conveys deeper meanings related to love and transience.