Two Idylls From Bion The Smyrnean

By Eugene Field

Fable
I     Once a fowler, young and artless,     To the quiet greenwood came;     Full of skill was he and heartless     In pursuit of feathered game.     And betimes he chanced to see     Eros perching in a tree.     "What strange bird is that, I wonder?"     Thought the youth, and spread his snare;     Eros, chuckling at the blunder,     Gayly scampered here and there.     Do his best, the simple clod     Could not snare the agile god!     Blubbering, to his aged master     Went the fowler in dismay,     And confided his disaster     With that curious bird that day;     "Master, hast thou ever heard     Of so ill-disposed a bird?"     "Heard of him? Aha, most truly!"     Quoth the master with a smile;     "And thou too, shall know him duly--     Thou art young, but bide awhile,     And old Eros will not fly     From thy presence by and by!     "For when thou art somewhat older     That same Eros thou didst see,     More familiar grown and bolder,     Shall become acquaint with thee;     And when Eros comes thy way     Mark my word, he comes to stay!" II     Once came Venus to me, bringing     Eros where my cattle fed--     "Teach this little boy your singing,     Gentle herdsman," Venus said.     I was young--I did not know     Whom it was that Venus led--     That was many years ago!     In a lusty voice but mellow--     Callow pedant! I began     To instruct the little fellow     In the mysteries known to man;     Sung the noble cithern's praise,     And the flute of dear old Pan,     And the lyre that Hermes plays.     But he paid no heed unto me--     Nay, that graceless little boy     Coolly plotted to undo me--     With his songs of tender joy;     And my pedantry o'erthrown,     Eager was I to employ     His sweet ritual for mine own!     Ah, these years of ours are fleeting!     Yet I have not vainly wrought,     Since to-day I am repeating     What dear lessons Eros taught;     Love, and always love, and then--     Counting all things else for naught--     Love and always love again!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This delightful narrative poem weaves the story of a young fowler's encounter with Eros, the Greek god of love, and the subsequent lessons learned about love. The theme of youthful ignorance, maturation, and the inevitable encounter with love is prevalent throughout the poem. The tone is playful, tinged with gentle irony as the experienced speaker reflects on his own youthful naivety and the universal inevitability of falling in love.

The poem is structured as a ballad, with consistent rhythm and rhyme that add a layer of musicality and charm. This form reinforces the narrative's folk-tale-like quality, with the fowler's quest to capture Eros serving as a metaphor for the human endeavor to understand and control love. The use of mythology and allusion, particularly to Eros and Venus, imbues the poem with a timeless, universal quality.

The poet also makes effective use of irony as the fowler attempts to catch the elusive god of love, only to be told by his master that Eros cannot be trapped but will come to him naturally with age. This irony is further highlighted in the second part of the poem, where the speaker, now older and wiser, reflects on his past ignorance and the lessons he has learned from Eros. The recurring inclusio, or bookend phrase, of "love and always love again" emphasizes the central theme of love's enduring and transformative power.

Understanding Fables

A fable is a timeless form of storytelling, typically featuring animals as characters that embody human traits, all while conveying a moral lesson. These short narratives have been used throughout history to impart wisdom, offering insights that remain relevant across generations.

Fables stand out for their simplicity and clarity, often concluding with a lesson that is easy to understand and remember. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Animal Characters: The main characters are often animals that represent human behaviors and characteristics, making the stories both engaging and relatable.
  • Concise Narrative: Fables are brief and focused, with each story centering around a single event or interaction that leads to a moral conclusion.
  • Moral Lesson: The purpose of a fable is to teach a lesson, which is usually stated clearly at the end, offering practical advice or ethical guidance.

From Aesop's ancient tales to modern adaptations, fables continue to be a powerful tool for education and moral reflection, resonating with audiences of all ages.