The Two Birds - An 1847 Poem
By Samuel Lover, Esq.
- A bright bird lived in a golden cage,
- So gently tended by groom and page,
- And a wild bird came her pomp to see,
- And said, "I wish I could live with thee;
- For thou canst sing
- And prune thy wing,
- While dainty fare,
- Thy slaves prepare,"
- The wild bird came her pomp to see,
- And said, "I wish I could live like thee!"
-
- Then from the cage came a plaintive voice,
- Which bade the wild bird to rejoice,
- "For I'd give my golden cage," said she,
- "For thy humble perch on the wild wood tree,
- For thou canst sing
- On Freedom's wing
- These bars of gold
- A slave enfold;
- I'd give my golden cage," said she,
- "For thy humble perch on the wild wood tree."
-
- Then, when the bird of the wild wood knew
- The bright one weary of bondage grew,
- He set the plaintive captive free,
- And away they flew singing "Liberty!"
- In joy they roam
- Their leafy home,
- And trill the lay
- The live long day
- The lay of love from hearts set free,
- For love was blest with Liberty.
September 24, 1847. Anti-slavery Bugle 3(7): 4.