388 THE FEATHERED TRIBES. 



And Sheni's wife took the green leaf from its bill, 

 And kiss'd its wings again, and smilingly 

 Dropp'd on its neck one silent teai' for joy. 

 She sent it forth once more, and watcli'd its flight. 

 Till it was lost amid the clouds of heaven : 

 Then, gazing on the clouds where it was lost. 

 Its mournful mistress sung this last farewell: — 



Go, beautiful and gentle dove. 



And greet the morning ray ; 

 For lo ! the sun shines bright above, 



And night and storm arc pass'd away : 



No longer diooping, here confined. 



In this cold prison dwell ; 

 Go, free to .sunshine and to wind, 



Sweet bird, go forth, and fare-thec-well. 



Oh '. beautiful and gentle dove. 



Thy welcome sad will be, 

 AVhen thou shalt hear no voice of love 



In murmurs from the leafy tree : 



Yet freedom, freedom shalt thou find, 



From this cold prison cell : 

 Go, then, to sunshine and to wind. 



Sweet bird, go forth, and fare-thce-wcU.'' 



Nor to that period is the interest of the dove confined ; — hence it has been said : — 



" Far down the vista of departed years 

 Thy notes have travelled, charming every ear, 

 And still as truly as in ages gone, — 

 When rains and biting frosts have past awaj', 

 When all we look upon is budding forth 

 As with fresh life and hope — intensely still 

 Man's heart rejoices at the turtle's voice ; 

 But, as -with all sweet things, her stay is short. 

 Scarcely have trees and flowers and odours frc-jh 

 Kegaled our every sense, and filled our hearts. 

 Our ]i-]^, with grateful praise, than she is gone. 

 Autumn's rich tints, the brown and yellow leaves. 

 The gatliering mist, no charms present to her ; 

 Another clime she seeks, where verdm'e reigns 

 In full luxuriance, like to those she quits ; 

 Bright sunny hour's alone this bird will have ; 

 And instincts fitted to such choice is hers, 

 And it to these. But we have reasons strong 

 For veneration towards this favourite bird. 

 In olden time, as Moses' records tell, 

 A trespass-oft'cring, typical of Ilira 

 Who afterwards on Calvary shed his blood, 

 A sacrifice for sin — the Christ of God — 

 The turtle-dove was brought all undcfilcd. 

 With plaintive voice, submissive, gentle, true, 

 As in our days ; what fitter type could be ?" 



The beautiful verses of Moore may well be added . — 



'• The dove let loose in eastern skies, 

 KeturnJMg fondly home, 

 Ne'er stoops to earth her wing, nor Hies 

 Where idle warblers roam ; 



