Poems (Tynan)/The Oak said to the Eagle

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CUCKOO SONGS

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THE OAK SAID TO THE EAGLE
The Oak said to the Eagle:  How old art thou? Clouds and the sunlight regal  Are on thy brow.
But the Eagle: Thine age, brother,  Tell it again. We are old, both one and the other,  Past dreams of men.
And the Oak: Mine age hath thriven  A thousand years, 'Gainst the winds and the rains of heaven,  And lightning's spears.
I have seen men born and buried,  How long, how long? The race of the red deer harried,  That was so strong.
But the Eagle laughed out scornful:  Thou dost not know Thou graybeard, ragged and mournful, How youth doth go.
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As an eagle cock I knew thee  An acorn smooth, When the wind from the tree-top blew thee.  Look at my youth!
Thou that art groaning and hoary,  That time doth kill. Look at me, clouds for my glory,  An eaglet still!
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