The Bird of Paradise

Read 'The Bird of Paradise' by 'William Henry Davies' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

The Bird of Paradise by William Henry Davies

 Here comes Kate Summers, who, for gold, 
Takes any man to bed: 
"You knew my friend, Nell Barnes," she said; 
"You knew Nell Barnes -- she's dead. 

"Nell Barnes was bad on all you men, 
Unclean, a thief as well; 
Yet all my life I have not found 
A better friend than Nell. 

"So I sat at her side at last, 
For hours, till she was dead; 
And yet she had no sense at all 
Of any word I said. 

"For all her cry but came to this -- 
'Not for the world! Take care: 
Don't touch that bird of paradise, 
Perched on the bed-post there!' 

"I asked her would she like some grapes, 
Som damsons ripe and sweet; 
A custard made with new-laid eggs, 
Or tender fowl to eat. 

"I promised I would follow her, 
To see her in her grave; 
And buy a wreath with borrowed pence, 
If nothing I could save. 

"Yet still her cry but came to this -- 
'Not for the world! Take care: 
Don't touch that bird of paradise, 
Perched on the bed-post there!' "

Form: Ballad

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