 | Jones Very : The Complete Poems |  |
English Sparrows
Here, where our fathers homeless came,
Nor rudest shelter found,
The English sparrows find a home,
And chirp and flit around.
Nor rudest shelter found,
The English sparrows find a home,
And chirp and flit around.
They felt the blasts of wintry winds,
Ere they their cots could rear:
And deep the snows around them fell
O'er hills, and forest drear.
Ere they their cots could rear:
And deep the snows around them fell
O'er hills, and forest drear.
And oft in hunger here they pined,
And sickness wasting sore;
And yet with faith and courage strong,
They every trial bore.
And sickness wasting sore;
And yet with faith and courage strong,
They every trial bore.
But thoughtful minds and feeling hearts
Do for your wants provide;
And shelter from the winter's storms,
Where you may safe abide.
Do for your wants provide;
And shelter from the winter's storms,
Where you may safe abide.
The sparrow-house we grateful place,
Where it can build its nest;
And, through the winter's cold, and storms,
Find shelter, food, and rest.
Where it can build its nest;
And, through the winter's cold, and storms,
Find shelter, food, and rest.
In token of that Providence,
That here our fathers led;
And gave them here a quiet home,
And with its bounty fed.
That here our fathers led;
And gave them here a quiet home,
And with its bounty fed.
Poem No. 172; c. 25 December 1874
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