- Sweet prophet of the early spring,
- That from the leafless spray,
- Or, poised on light and fluttering wing,
- Dost pour they tuneful lay,
- Like a pure blessing on the air,
- A voice of hope, and love,
- So sweet, it seems this sunny morn
- Thy flight was from above!
- I love thee, bright and gentle bird,
- That thou hast, far away,
- Left scenes of never-fading bloom,
- All beautiful to-day,
- To sing from yonder leafless bough,
- Of summer joys to me,
- And light the cold and dreary North
- With Spring's sweet prophesy!
- 'Tis better, thus to sing, sweet bird,
- To other hearts than thine,
- Of coming beauty, than to stay
- Where fullest glories shine.
- And thou hast learned, in some far sky,
- That sentiment of heaven,
- "Tis better to bestow a bliss,
- Than taste of blessings given."
- How many a care-worn heart will feel
- A thrill of joy to-day,
- Touched by they simple melody,
- Which charmeth care away!
- How many a heavy step grow light,
- And sad eye re-illume,
- And stern lip smile, and brow grow bright,
- Beguiled of grief and gloom!
- So sweet the feelings in my breast,
- Awoke this balmy morn,
- By sky, and earth, and thy blythe note
- On gentle breezes borne,
- I fain would sing, like thee, a song,
- That gushes in my heart,
- A joyous idol of the May,
- Whose harbinger thou art.
History and Legacy of Wild Birds Including Historic Ornithology and Other Topics of Interest
06 November 2013
To the First Blue-bird of Spring
Labels:
poetry