Yet Gentle will the Griffin Be

This poem, part of a collection of moon poems for children, presents a whimsical and enchanting narrative, where the speaker, likely Grandpa, shares a fantastical tale of a griffin's egg hatching under the moon. The poem's structure, with its short lines and simple stanza pattern, contributes to its sense of wonder and playfulness, mirroring the excitement of the children watching the event. The use of enjambment, as in And how the little boys will watch / / With shouting and delight, creates a sense of urgency and energy, underscoring the children's eagerness to witness the griffin's emergence. The voice is conversational and affectionate, with a touch of irony in the contrast between the boys' joyful outbursts and the girls' potential tears. A significant structural turn occurs when the griffin, initially depicted as a fearsome creature, is revealed to be Most decorous and fat, and walk up to the milky way / And lap it like a cat. This shift from expectation to delight subverts the children's initial fear, showcasing the griffin's gentle nature. The poem's sound is characterized by a soothing, lulling quality, with a consistent meter and a repetitive refrain in The boys will laugh. / The little girls, / I fear, may hide and cry. This repetition creates a sense of predictability, which is later disrupted by the griffin's unexpected gentleness.