As from the earth the light Balloon 1
Asks nothing but release－
Ascension that for which it was,
Its soaring Residence.
The spirit looks upon the Dust 5
That fastened it so long
With indignation,
As a Bird
Defrauded of its song.
Asks nothing but release－
Ascension that for which it was,
Its soaring Residence.
The spirit looks upon the Dust 5
That fastened it so long
With indignation,
As a Bird
Defrauded of its song.
(F.1651/J.1630)
[1] Earth:: worldly things, opposed to spiritual things. Balloon:: the balloon-shaped outline containing words represented in comic engravings as issuing from the mouth of a person (OED 9a).
[2] release:: to deliver a message.
[5] the Dust:: the dusty world.
[8, 9] Bird, song:: a person's thought being confined in a balloon, is like a bird to fake its song.
Well, she drew a picture of Mr. Davis, with a monstrous nose and a hump, and the words, 'Young ladies, my eye is upon you!' coming out of his mouth in a balloon thing. ─ Little Women (1868) by Louisa May Alcott