Let the bird of loudest lay
On the sole Arabian tree
It is unclear who the bird of the “loudest lay” (loudest voice) is. Some scholars are that it is the nightingale or a songbird with a particularly beautiful voice. Others have identified this bird as the Phoenix itself coming to provide over its own funeral. The evidence given for this is that the “Arabian tree” refers to the palm tree, which is “phoinix” in Ancient Greek.
But thou shrieking harbinger,
Foul precurrer of the fiend
These lines are addressed to the screech-owl, who is one of the birds not invited to the gathering dedicated to the deceased Phoenix and Turtle. The first section of the poem divides different types of birds into good and bad categories. The screech-owl is not invited because of the shrieking it makes. It also described as a “Foul precurrer of the fiend.” In other words, it is a precursor of death. Its screech announces that death is coming. Therefore, it is considered unlucky.
Phoenix and the Turtle fled
In a mutual flame from hence.
The phoenix is a mythological bird known in legends for consuming itself in flames and then being reborn from the ashes. In this poem, the Phoenix and her lover the Turtle are consumed in a “mutual” flame. This concept of mutuality, of sharing in—and being united by—love, is important for the poem and is first introduced here. The flame that causes the two lovers to have “fled” (die) also does not renew them. They do not come to life.
Distance and no space was seen
'Twixt this Turtle and his queen:
But in them it were a wonder.
The Phoenix and the Turtle were both distant and united at the same time. They were both one and two. This line suggests that if this situation occurred with any other couple, that would be a “wonder.” However, in their case, it is just the nature of their love to break the laws of logic.
Simple were so well compounded
In alchemy (the mystical-scientific pursuit of turning lead into gold) “simples” are single elements or herbs. When these are combined (over a flame, for example) they become compounds. In the case of the Phoenix and the Turtle, the lovers manage to remain simultaneously simples and compounds. They retain their individuality while also becoming one.
Love has reason, reason none,
If what parts can so remain.
These lines are sung by Reason, which is personified. Reason is confused by the love between the Phoenix and the Turtle. It is shocked that the lovers appear to be both two and one. If these two separate “parts” can also “remain” joined, then this violates the very laws of reason because reason’s job is to make divisions between things. In this sense, Reason declares that if this kind of love is possible, then love is the true reason. Reason itself has nothing reasonable about it.
To this urn let those repair
That are either true or fair;
For these dead birds sigh a prayer.
The poem ends with a call for all who are honest and beautiful to come to the “urn” that holds the ashes of the Phoenix and the Turtle. With their death, the world has forever changed. People should come to honor them. Even their burial site inspires reverence and awe, which is why mourners whisper their prayers.
