THE AMERICAN LINNET. 



Some humble heart is sore and sick with grief, 

 And straight thou comest with thy gentle song, 

 To wile the sufferer from its hate or wrong, 

 By bringing Nature's love to his relief. 

 Thou charmest by the sick child's window long. 

 Till aching pain itself be wooed to sleep ; 

 And, when away have vanished flower and leaf, 

 Thy lonely^ wailing voice for them doth weep, — 

 Linnet, wild linnet ! 



God saw how much of woe and grief and care 

 Man's faults and follies on the earth would make 

 And thee, sweet singer, for His creature's sake, 

 He sent to warble wildly everywhere. 

 And by our souls to love to wake. 

 92 



