University of Virginia Library


248

SONNET.

TO THE SKY-LARK.

O earliest singer! O care-charming bird!
Married to morning, by a sweeter hymn
Than priest e'er chaunted from his cloister dim,
At midnight,—or veil'd virgin's holier word
At sun-rise or the paler evening heard;
To which of all Heaven's young and lovely Hours,
Who wreathe soft light in hyacinthine bowers,
Beautiful spirit, is thy suit preferr'd?
—Unlike the creatures of this low dull earth,
Still dost thou woo, although thy suit be won;
And thus thy mistress bright is pleased ever.
Oh! lose not thou this mark of finer birth;—
So may'st thou yet live on, from sun to sun,
Thy joy uncheckd, thy sweet song silent never.