The Mocking Bird - An 1843 Poem

Counter-Hopper.

When joyous spring-time glads the earth;

When op'ning buds burst wide their sheaves;

When evergreens first fill the hearth;

When frosts and freezes take their leaves,

The Mocking Bird, in joyous glee,

Essays the song

That will, ere long,

Fill field and groves with melody.

 

When round the porch the woodbines twine;

When honeysuckles feast the eyes;

When leafy bowers clothe the vine;

Just as the sun begins to rise.

The Mock-bird's mellow mating notes,

Leading the choir

Of bush and briar,

In richest cadence round him floats.

 

When summer's sun retires to rest,

In azure cloud-couch fringed with gold;

When cooling breezes from the West,

Come laden with perfumes untold,

There's nothing sweet, or rich, or pure

The zephyr brings

Upon its wings,

More welcome than his overture.

 

Nor ceases with the close of day,

The feathered songster's vesper hymn;

At night he seeks some sheltered spray,

Near man a friendly roosting limb,

And ever and anon again

Warbles a stave

Each windy wave

Aeolian-harp-like wakes a strain.

February 22, 1843. Edgefield Advertiser 8(4): 1. From the South Carolinian. Poetic Recess feature.