The Sea-Eagle's Fall

An Eagle, on his towering wing,
Hung o'er the summer sea;
And ne'er did airy, feathered king
Look prouder there than he.

He spied the finny tribes below,
Amid the limpid brine;
And felt it now was time to know
Whereon he was to dine.

He saw a noble, shining fish
So near the surface swim,
He felt at once a hungry wish
To make a feast of him.

Then straight he took his downward course;
A sudden plunge he gave;
And pouncing, seized, with murderous force,
His tempter in the wave.

He struck his talons firm and deep,
Within the slippery prize,
In hope his ruffian grasp to keep;
And high and dry to rise,.

But ah! it was a fatal stoop,
As ever monarch made;
And, for that rash—that cruel swoop,
He soon most dearly paid!

The fish had too much gravity
To yield to this attack.
His feet the eagle could not free
From off the scaly back.

He'd seized on one too strong and great;
His mastery now was gone!
And on, by that prepondering weight,
And downward, he was drawn.

Nor found he here the element
Where he could move with grace;
And flap, and dash, his pinions went,
In ocean's wrinkled face.

They could not bring his talons out,
His forfeit life to save;
And planted thus, he writhed about
Upon his gaping grave.

He raised his head, and gave a shriek,
To bid adieu to light:
The water bubbled in his beak—
He sank from human sight!

The children of the sea came round,
The foreigner to view.
To see an airy monarch drowned,
To them was something new!

Some gave a quick, astonished look,
And darted swift away;
While some his parting plumage shook,
And nibbled him for prey.

O! who that saw that bird at noon
So high and proudly soar,
Could think how awkwardly—how soon,
He'd fall to rise no more?

Though glory, majesty, and pride
Were his an hour ago,
Deprived of all, that eagle died,
For stooping once too low!

Now, have you ever known or heard
Of biped, from his sphere
Descending, like that silly bird,
To buy a fish so dear?