The heart like a bird to its nestling will fly, / And when by the weight of a parent its bending, / Yet wishes while constant to break and to die. / Like a bird in a snare, of its freedom bereft, / Still hoping and wishing releasement again, / 'Till clos'd in the cage the flutterer is left / To pant and to sigh for its freedom in vain."
— Robertson, James (fl.1768-1788)
Place of Publication
York
Publisher
Printed by W. Blanchard and Co.
Date
1778
Metaphor
The heart like a bird to its nestling will fly, / And when by the weight of a parent its bending, / Yet wishes while constant to break and to die. / Like a bird in a snare, of its freedom bereft, / Still hoping and wishing releasement again, / 'Till clos'd in the cage the flutterer is left / To pant and to sigh for its freedom in vain."
Metaphor in Context
COURTNEY.
Here is likely to be a pretty conclusion to this affair; yet what pleases me in some measure is, the fortitude of Almira, in bearing so slightly the capricious humours of her father, who but yesterday was fully determined on our union--to-day, on a foolish pretence, has banished me his house. There is certainly no accounting for those whims in mankind, though I may answer for it by my own folly in attempting to deceive him--yet it was absolutely necessary, the concealing my real name and residence, by assuming a fictitious character, least my uncle should have found me out, and at once put a final stop to my happiness--would but parents and guardians consider the folly and absurdity there is in managing us contrary to our inclinations, they would not attempt to make us so wretched.
AIR II.
[Tho' prudence may press me.]
Ah! why does the heart a feeling discover,
If yielding to duty our passions must stray;
Teasing the soul of the unhappy lover,
All hopes of his blisses are fled far away.
While with our duty affections contending,
The heart like a bird to its nestling will fly,
And when by the weight of a parent its bending,
Yet wishes while constant to break and to die.
Like a bird in a snare, of its freedom bereft,
Still hoping and wishing releasement again,
'Till clos'd in the cage the flutterer is left
To pant and to sigh for its freedom in vain.
I think it impossible, after the care I have taken to deceive Sir William, that he should have discovered who I am, and I yet hope Almira's true to her love.
O love, thou dear sweet tyrant of the soul,
Where you possess you must engross the whole.
(I.i)
Here is likely to be a pretty conclusion to this affair; yet what pleases me in some measure is, the fortitude of Almira, in bearing so slightly the capricious humours of her father, who but yesterday was fully determined on our union--to-day, on a foolish pretence, has banished me his house. There is certainly no accounting for those whims in mankind, though I may answer for it by my own folly in attempting to deceive him--yet it was absolutely necessary, the concealing my real name and residence, by assuming a fictitious character, least my uncle should have found me out, and at once put a final stop to my happiness--would but parents and guardians consider the folly and absurdity there is in managing us contrary to our inclinations, they would not attempt to make us so wretched.
AIR II.
[Tho' prudence may press me.]
Ah! why does the heart a feeling discover,
If yielding to duty our passions must stray;
Teasing the soul of the unhappy lover,
All hopes of his blisses are fled far away.
While with our duty affections contending,
The heart like a bird to its nestling will fly,
And when by the weight of a parent its bending,
Yet wishes while constant to break and to die.
Like a bird in a snare, of its freedom bereft,
Still hoping and wishing releasement again,
'Till clos'd in the cage the flutterer is left
To pant and to sigh for its freedom in vain.
I think it impossible, after the care I have taken to deceive Sir William, that he should have discovered who I am, and I yet hope Almira's true to her love.
O love, thou dear sweet tyrant of the soul,
Where you possess you must engross the whole.
(I.i)
Provenance
Searching "heart" and "bird" in HDIS (Drama)
Citation
Only 1 entry in ESTC (1778).
James Robertson, The Heroine of Love, a Musical Piece of Three Acts (York: W. Blanchard, 1778). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books>
James Robertson, The Heroine of Love, a Musical Piece of Three Acts (York: W. Blanchard, 1778). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books>
Date of Entry
06/29/2012
