 | Lauds |  |
49
THE BLACKBIRD IN TOWN
In the stone-prisoned tree
The Blackbird sings.
O what felicity
To cage such songs, such wings!
The Blackbird sings.
O what felicity
To cage such songs, such wings!
Betwixt the houses dull,
As in a grove,
The Blackbird beautiful
Sings his wild songs of love.
As in a grove,
The Blackbird beautiful
Sings his wild songs of love.
Nor lacks his inspiration
In the dull scene;
Sounds the last note of passion
Far from the country green.
In the dull scene;
Sounds the last note of passion
Far from the country green.
Nor grieves at all for Flora,
Lapful of flowers;
Nor Hesper nor Aurora
In the wild woodland bowers.
Lapful of flowers;
Nor Hesper nor Aurora
In the wild woodland bowers.
50
He sings at noon, at night,
In stunted boughs.
As 'twere a palace of light,
A gold and emerald house.
In stunted boughs.
As 'twere a palace of light,
A gold and emerald house.
As 'twere the wild wood spacious,
He sings and stays—
Mercy of God most gracious!—
Through the Spring nights and days.
He sings and stays—
Mercy of God most gracious!—
Through the Spring nights and days.
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