University of Virginia Library

Chime and chaunt of bee and bird
Now are ever sweetly heard
In the golden sultriness
Of the bright Air's warm excess,
How the happy careless things,
With their voice and with their wings,
Make the scene one living scene—
Ev'n the trees' thick leaves of green,
Moved by living things of life,
Seem to share in the happy strife,
Even the Air, re-echoing,
Seems to murmur and to sing;
Bird and bee and butterfly
Their light tasks unwearied ply,
Though the Sun glows fierce to-day,
Yet they pause not in their play.
Bird and butterfly and bee
They are strong—for they are free,
They know not what 'tis to bear
The burthen of a fear or care,
Happier than the human herd
Bee and butterfly and bird!—
They but know their great content
And triumphant merriment,
They but know their happiness,
Would our knowledge too were less,
So that this and this alone
Might unto our Souls be known!
These but know their happiness,
And that Nature's truth can bless—
Oh! that murmur and that song
Of the gay, the aërial throng,
Oh! that sound—that dulcet strain—
More true wisdom they contain,
More real knowledge they impart—
(Knowledge precious to the heart)
Than the elaborate sophistries
Clad in pompous proud disguise,
Which so often freely flow
From Men's lips who deem they know!
Than discourses trite and vain,
Couched in artful studied strain,
If they none can better make,
Vain's the task they undertake,
Wiser none through those can grow
Though with eloquence they glow—
Chaunt and chime of bee and bird
More than cunning phrase or word
Ye can well inform—instruct—
And to golden truths conduct—
Ye indeed are eloquent
('Mid that sparkling merriment!)—
Perfect Poems that agree—
With a sound Philosophy!
Ye for ever celebrate
(Strains triumphal and elate!)
Happiness and Innocence
With an artless eloquence!
And with heavy sighs I own
Could my heart demand alone—
Simple pleasures—humble joys—
(Shunning Earth's more gaudy toys)
And contented be to prove
The bliss that flows from Nature's love.
Innocence and Happiness
Might too my crushed spirit bless—
But the sinful human heart
Chooseth a less peaceful part,
And can only pure be made
Through the grace of Heavenly aid—
Birds and bees and joyous things!
That make the Air alive with wings,
And with ever-murmuring sound,
Sweet and tender and profound,
Nature is enough for ye
In her general ministery,
Nature's common course must still
Every want and wish fulfil,
All that ye can e'er require,
All that ye can e'er desire,
Is provided and supplied
In her overflowing tide,
All for you is fixed and planned,
Nought beyond can ye demand.

Happiness and Innocence
With a trustful confidence
Let us hope that ye may be
Still ours—and through Eternity!—
If the appointed means we take,
And the counselled choice we make—
And the commended course pursue—
With a spirit meek and true—
And fix upon the worthy part
With an humble humble heart—
Innocence and Happiness
Then may ye our spirit bless!