The grave thrush sings His love-call, and the nightingale's romance Throbs through the twilight; thou hast but thy wings, Thy sun-thrilled dance. Yet doth love's glow Burn in the ruby of thy restless throat, Of brooding thrush! Now for thy joy the emptied air doth long; FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW ORN is the winter rug of white, once more Glimpses of faint green grass in sight, Spring's footprints on the floor. Upon the sombre forest gates A crimson flush the mornings catch, The token of the Spring, who waits With finger on the latch. Blow, bugles of the south, and win The warders from their dreams too long, She shall make bright the dismal ways. Her face is lovely with the sun; The silence of the year is done : Spring here, by what magician's touch? 'Twas winter scarce an hour ago. And yet I should have guessed as much, Those footprints in the snow! TO THE CAT-BIRD Anonymous OU, who would with wanton art You And with noisy utterance claim Right to an ignoble name, Gifted with the charm of song, Do the generous gift such wrong? Delicate and downy throat, Bright eyes glancing every way, - Types of perfect harmony! Ah! you much mistake your duty, I have heard you tell a tale Unto whom two notes are given, For the sake of those who love us, So will I no more reprove, THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROW By A. West ARK! 't is our Northern Nightingale that sings In far-off, leafy cloisters, dark and cool, Flinging his flute-notes bounding from the skies! Thou wild musician of the mountain-streams, Most tuneful minstrel of the forest-choirs, Bird of all grace and harmony of soul, Up in yon tremulous mist where morning wakes The wandering rivulets dancing through the grass, Deep in the shade we lie and listen long; A CAGED BIRD By Sarah Orne Jewett IGH at the window in her cage A poor deceit and copy, this, Of larger lives that mark their span, Unreckoning of wider worlds Or gifts that Heaven keeps for man. She gathers piteous bits and shreds, So rudely scattered spring by spring; And sings her brief, unlistened songs, At sound of song from bush or tree. |