The Sermon of St. Francis
Birds Of Passage. Flight The Fourth
The Sermon of St. Francis - context Summary
Birds of Passage Series
This short narrative lyric, from Longfellow's Birds of Passage series, stages St. Francis preaching to birds around an Assisi convent. It links natural imagery with Christian spirituality: birds become both literal recipients of charity and emblems of the soul’s ascent. The poem reflects Longfellow’s recurring interest in nature as a vehicle for moral and religious reflection, emphasizing peaceful communion rather than doctrinal exposition.
Read Complete AnalysesUp soared the lark into the air, A shaft of song, a wingéd prayer, As if a soul released from pain Were flying back to heaven again. St. Francis heard: it was to him An emblem of the Seraphim; The upward motion of the fire, The light, the heat, the heart's desire. Around Assisi's convent gate The birds, God's poor who cannot wait, From moor and mere and darksome wood Come flocking for their dole of food. 'O brother birds,' St. Francis said, 'Ye come to me and ask for bread, But not with bread alone to-day Shall ye be fed and sent away. 'Ye shall be fed, ye happy birds, With manna of celestial words; Not mine, though mine they seem to be, Not mine, though they be spoken through me. 'Oh, doubly are ye bound to praise The great Creator in your lays; He giveth you your plumes of down, Your crimson hoods, your cloaks of brown. 'He giveth you your wings to fly And breathe a purer air on high, And careth for you everywhere, Who for yourselves so little care!' With flutter of swift wings and songs Together rose the feathered throngs, And singing scattered far apart; Deep peace was in St. Francis' heart. He knew not if the brotherhood His homily had understood; He only knew that to one ear The meaning of his words was clear.
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