University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Lyrics

sylvan and sacred. By the Rev. Richard Wilton

collapse section
 
 
collapse section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ARROW-SEED;
 
 
 
 
 
collapse section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
collapse section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


37

THE ARROW-SEED;

OR, SOWING UNAWARES.

I watched a little bird that unawares
With all its might was scattering wingèd seed,
As on a nodding flower it hung to feed.
Loosed by its beak—the breath of Summer airs
Those feathered germs across the meadow bears,
The while the busy songster takes no heed
Whither each arrowy wanderer may speed,
Or how in forest or in field it fares.
Ah, we are sowing when we little think
Wing'd seeds of good or evil all around;
We scatter them e'en when we eat or drink;
Whene'er we talk they flutter o'er the ground:
Oh, “to the Spirit” let us learn to “sow,”
And from small deeds and words fair flowers will grow!