 | The Shepherd's Garden |  |
74
THE LOST BIRD.
I kept a Robin in a cage;
Full fine of plume he was:
His song could all my griefs assuage
And make my cares to pass.
Full fine of plume he was:
His song could all my griefs assuage
And make my cares to pass.
Always he tuned his merry throat:
So sweetly he did sing,
No sprightlier bird with rarer note
Made ever thicket ring.
So sweetly he did sing,
No sprightlier bird with rarer note
Made ever thicket ring.
When at the time that April calls
New blossoms on to May,
He, fluttering, burst his wicker walls,
And swiftly flew away.
New blossoms on to May,
He, fluttering, burst his wicker walls,
And swiftly flew away.
Fair maiden bearing garlands forth
To shepherds on the green,
Tell me if either south or north
My Robin you have seen.—
To shepherds on the green,
Tell me if either south or north
My Robin you have seen.—
I saw in passing by the gate
That shuts the garden bowers,
A Robin singing to his mate
Amongst the leaves and flowers.—
That shuts the garden bowers,
A Robin singing to his mate
Amongst the leaves and flowers.—
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Nay, stay one moment ere the throng
You join, and pray declare,
What said my Robin in his song
Unto that happy fair.—
You join, and pray declare,
What said my Robin in his song
Unto that happy fair.—
He said, he loved your bonny eye,
And praised your lithesome grace;
But that he liked his liberty
More than your beauteous face.
And praised your lithesome grace;
But that he liked his liberty
More than your beauteous face.
He said, although you might not change
A heart so warm and true,
Yet his from sweet to sweet must range
As bees in summer do.—
A heart so warm and true,
Yet his from sweet to sweet must range
As bees in summer do.—
Then lead me to the grove where he
In happier case doth stir,
And I will lie beneath the tree
Where he doth sing to her:
In happier case doth stir,
And I will lie beneath the tree
Where he doth sing to her:
And I will bathe the grass beneath
With tears instead of dew,
And sigh away my careful breath;
For Love shall die there too.
With tears instead of dew,
And sigh away my careful breath;
For Love shall die there too.
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