Literary notes about WARBLE (AI summary)
In literature, the word warble is most often employed to evoke a sense of light, melodious, and sometimes fleeting musicality, whether describing the song of birds or the tonal quality of human or instrumental sound. It frequently captures the natural cadence of a bird’s tune, as in descriptions of gentle, pleasing notes that signal the break of day or the serene backdrop of nature ([1], [2], [3]). At times, warble is also used metaphorically to depict a voice or sound imbued with both charm and imperfection—ranging from the clear, rising scales of a musical performance ([4]) to a playful, character-driven expression that verges on the lyrical ([5], [6]). Overall, warble in literature serves as a rich auditory metaphor that bridges the gap between the natural world and human musicality ([7], [8], [9]).
- After a while their happy voices were hushed in sleep, the Blackbird ceased to warble his evening hymn, and all were buried in slumber, and at rest!
— from Parables from Flowers by Gertrude P. Dyer - Chitrakúta Then Ráma, when the morning rose, Called Lakshmaṇ gently from repose: “Awake, the pleasant voices hear Of forest birds that warble near.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - Everything in this charming retreat, from the warble of the birds to the smile of the mistress, breathed tranquillity and repose.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - It begins with a lively and pleasant warble, of a gradually ascending scale, which at a certain pitch suddenly breaks down into a falsetto note.
— from A History of North American Birds; Land Birds; Vol. 1 of 3 by Robert Ridgway - “Now,” said Warble, but before she could go further, Adam Goodsport butted in with: “Oh, please, Mrs. Petticoat—oh, please!
— from Ptomaine Street: The Tale of Warble Petticoat by Carolyn Wells - “He’s been pushin’ up the daisies fer thirty years, I ain’t goin’ to warble to please no tombstun.”
— from The Mornin'-Glory Girl by Kathryn Pocklington - —A rich, loud and rapid warble, cheery and pleasing but impossible to describe; a chattering note of alarm.
— from Bird Guide: Land Birds East of the Rockies, from Parrots to Bluebirds by Chester A. (Chester Albert) Reed - The elder sister had a good alto voice that contrasted well with the warble of her sister’s soprano.
— from Eve: A Novel by S. (Sabine) Baring-Gould - Warble, child; make passionate my sense of hearing.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
