 | The heavenly guest with other unpublished writings |  |
69
ENTREATY
Dear little bird, the snowflakes whirl about you,
The bare twig where you cling blows up and down;
And how the cold wild wind does toss and flout you,
And ruffle all your feathers soft and brown!
The bare twig where you cling blows up and down;
And how the cold wild wind does toss and flout you,
And ruffle all your feathers soft and brown!
Ah, do come in and stay till storms are ended,
Dear little bird! I'll be so good to you,
There's such a fire burning bright and splendid,
And here it is so warm and quiet too.
Dear little bird! I'll be so good to you,
There's such a fire burning bright and splendid,
And here it is so warm and quiet too.
See, on the steps I scatter crumbs, come nearer,
Do, pretty creature! Don't be frightened, pray;
For all the little birds to me are dearer
Than I could tell you, so don't fly away.
Do, pretty creature! Don't be frightened, pray;
For all the little birds to me are dearer
Than I could tell you, so don't fly away.
I am so sorry that the tempest caught you,
When you came back so brave, to tell of spring!
Did you forget how last year March winds fought you,
Or did you come, in spite of them, to sing?
When you came back so brave, to tell of spring!
Did you forget how last year March winds fought you,
Or did you come, in spite of them, to sing?
If you would only let me feed and warm you,
I'd be so gentle! Your poor claws should cling
Round such a warm, kind finger—I would charm you
With such a soft caress, dear shivering thing!
I'd be so gentle! Your poor claws should cling
Round such a warm, kind finger—I would charm you
With such a soft caress, dear shivering thing!
O won't you come? I'm afraid you'll perish:
The dark comes, and 'tis wild as it can be;
If you could understand how I would cherish
And comfort you, I know you'd fly to me.
The dark comes, and 'tis wild as it can be;
If you could understand how I would cherish
And comfort you, I know you'd fly to me.
And then tomorrow, if the sun shone, gladly
I'll throw the window wide and set you free.
You dare not come? Goodnight then, dear, and sadly
I shut the door, sorry as I can be.
I'll throw the window wide and set you free.
You dare not come? Goodnight then, dear, and sadly
I shut the door, sorry as I can be.
| The heavenly guest with other unpublished writings | |