Depart and win with earnest flight,
This peaceful region of the blest;
But mark—a bosom fair and bright,
Alone can reach that land of rest!”
Now these lines tell a fancy tale, or allegory, which has some meaning. In the first place, I wish my readers to observe that the little bird does not laugh at the old man and make fun of him, or run away from him. On the contrary, the bird seems to think that as the man is old, he has a great deal of wisdom, and is therefore capable of giving good advice.
Now the bird here shows good sense. Instead of avoiding old people, children should always love to be with them, and should always treat them with kindness, attention and respect. Old people are usually very fond of children, and they can tell them many pretty tales, and many curious things they have seen.
It seems that the bird is troubled by hawks and owls, and desires to go to some happy land where it may be free from such dangers, and may dwell in quiet and content. And the old man tells the bird, of a far-off isle, where those who are pure and good may live forever in a state of unbroken felicity. This part of the allegory means that there is a another world, in which the pure in heart may see God and dwell with Him forever in happiness.
The Sun, Moon and Stars.
Here is a picture which represents the earth in the centre, and the sun, moon and stars around it. It also represents clouds around the earth.