Summary

The poem is written in two sections. The first and longer of the two sections receives no subheading. It begins with the image of the "loudest" bird sitting on the branch of an Arabian tree (1). "Chaste" wings are meant to hear this sound (4). However, the narrator forbids other kinds of birds: any that shriek, as well as birds of prey except for the noble eagle, from attending this song. The narrator summons some birds in particular: doves with their white wings, swans, and crows. Finally, the purpose of this assembly is revealed: these are "mourners" (20). They are mourning the death of the Phoenix and the Turtle as well as the ideals they represent: love and constancy.

The love these two creatures shared is described as so beautiful that it was like they were only one soul. They became a single self. This was so...