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.