Poetry · Chapter
Fighting for Home explained
A hawk attacks a mink at a spring, but the mink's familiarity with water allows it to defend itself, ultimately drowning the hawk in a barrel.
What happens
A hawk attacks a mink at a spring, but the mink's familiarity with water allows it to defend itself, ultimately drowning the hawk in a barrel.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Environment
The poem depicts a natural struggle between a hawk and a mink in a rural setting.
Key passages
“A hawk while soaring on the wing, O'er a tiny sparkling spring, Beheld a sleek and beauteous mink, Was enjoying a bath and drink.”
A hawk flying over a small spring saw a beautiful mink bathing and drinking.
Sets the scene for the encounter.
“And though the hawk was bent on slaughter The mink was more at home on water, And it is strange this curious quarrel All occurred in a sunk barrel.”
The hawk intended to kill the mink, but the mink was better adapted to water, and the fight took place in a sunken barrel.
Highlights the mink's advantage and the unusual setting.
“The bird was drenched, it could not fly, And ne'er again it soared on high.”
The hawk became soaked, unable to fly, and never flew again.
Describes the hawk's defeat and demise.