Author: Algernon Charles Swinburne

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    I hid my heart in a nest of roses,
    Out of the sun's way, hidden apart;
    In a softer bed then the soft white snow's is,
    Under the roses I hid my heart.
    Why would it sleep not? why should it start,
    When never a leaf of the rose-tree stirred?
    What made sleep flutter his wings and part?
    Only the song of a secret bird.

    Lie still, I said, for the wind's wing closes,
    And mild leaves muffle the keen sun's dart;
    Lie still, for the wind on the warm seas dozes,
    And the wind is unquieter yet than thou art.
    Does a thought in thee still as a thorn's wound smart?
    Does the fang still fret thee of hope deferred?
    What bids the lips of thy sleep dispart?
    Only the song of a secret bird.

    The green land's name that a charm encloses,
    It never was writ in the traveller's chart,
    And sweet on its trees as the fruit that grows is,
    It never was sold in the merchant's mart.
    The swallows of dreams through its dim fields dart,
    And sleep's are the tunes in its tree-tops heard;
    No hound's note wakens the wildwood hart,
    Only the song of a secret bird.


    ENVOI

    In the world of dreams I have chosen my part,
    To sleep for a season and hear no word
    Of true love's truth or of light love's art,
    Only the song of a secret bird.

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Type of Poem: Rondeau

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem is a poignant exploration of themes like love, secrecy, and the power of nature. The speaker expresses their decision to "hide" their heart, a metaphor for their feelings, emotions, or perhaps a secret love, in a place that is both physically beautiful and emotionally comforting. The repeated refrain "Only the song of a secret bird" adds a layer of mystery and intrigue, suggesting an inner turmoil or unanswered question that disrupts the speaker's peace.

The tone is introspective and somewhat melancholic, showing a clash between the tranquility of the natural surroundings and the restlessness of the speaker's heart. The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyme scheme and repetition, creates a melody that mirrors the song of the secret bird, potentially symbolizing an unavoidable truth or a haunting memory. The use of enjambment enhances the flow of thoughts and emotions, while the evocative imagery, such as "a nest of roses," "the soft white snow's," and "the green land's name," paints a vivid picture of an idyllic but elusive refuge. The final stanza, labeled as an "envoi," conveys the speaker's resignation to their fate, choosing to live in a world of dreams rather than face the realities of love. This poem is an elegant fusion of emotional depth and poetic craft, providing a nuanced exploration of human feelings and the ways in which we seek solace in our inner worlds.