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4
THE GOLD-CRESTED WREN.
His relation to the Sonnet.
When my hand closed upon thee, worn and spentWith idly dashing on the window-pane,
Or clinging to the cornice—I, that meant
At once to free thee, could not but detain;
I dropt my pen, I left th' unfinished lay,
To give thee back to freedom; but I took—
Oh, charm of sweet occasion!—one brief look
At thy bright eyes and innocent dismay;
Then forth I sent thee on thy homeward quest,
My lesson learnt—thy beauty got by heart:
And if, at times, my sonnet-muse would rest
Short of her topmost skill, her little best,
The memory of thy delicate gold crest
Shall plead for one last touch,—the crown of Art.
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