Poetry · Chapter
Bird-Songs explained
Three birds—the owl, the nightingale, and the lark—each sing a song reflecting their relationship with night and day.
What happens
Three birds—the owl, the nightingale, and the lark—each sing a song reflecting their relationship with night and day. The owl celebrates the night, the nightingale longs for the light, and the lark eagerly calls for the dawn.
Themes in this chapter
Nature as Divine Revelation
The birds' songs reveal different aspects of creation—night, light, and the longing for dawn—as reflections of divine order.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“I will sing a song, Said the owl. You sing a song, sing-song Ugly fowl!”
The owl declares its intention to sing, but is mocked by another as an ugly bird with a repetitive tune.
The owl's song is dismissed by a critic, highlighting the contrast between the singer and the listener.
“I will sing a song, Said the lark. Sing, sing, Throat-strong, Little Kill-the-dark!”
The lark announces its song, and is encouraged to sing powerfully as one who dispels the darkness.
The lark is celebrated as a force against night, eager for the light.