Morns like these we parted — Blue Bird

Morns like these－we parted－¹
Noons like these－she rose－
Fluttering first－then firmer
To her fair repose.

Never did she lisp it－⁵
It was not for me－
She－was mute from transport－
I－from agony－

Till－the evening nearing ⁹
One the curtains drew－
Quick! A Sharper rustling!
And this linnet flew!

(F.18/J.27)

[1–12] This poem is about the fairy tale Blue Bird (1697) by Madame d'Aulnoy (1650–1705).
[1] Morns, parted:: Princess Fiordelisa was locked in a tower by her stepmother. Prince Charming wanted to marry her but was turned into a blue bird. The blue bird met Fiordelisa every day at night, and left in the morning.
[4] repose:: Fiordelisa slept at day time.
[7] transport:: banishment, exile; Fiordelisa in a tower.
[8] agony:: Prince Charming being turned into a blue bird.
[10] One, drew:: the queen's spy discovered their meeting one day, and the blue bird never came back to the tower.
[12] linnet:: blue linnet; a hint on the Blue Bird).

The Blue Linnet, or Indigo Bird, is well known in America. Its favourite haunts are the borders of woods, road-sides, and fields of deep clover. It is very active, and extremely neat and pretty; it is also a vigorous singer. Its usual note, when alarmed, is a sharp chip. ─ Tales of Animals (1837) By Samuel Griswold Goodrich