238 MUSIC OF THE GROVE. 



the joyousness of the " sprightly lark " with his 

 own hopeless condition. 



Yon brook will glide as softly as before, 



Yon landscape smile, yon golden harvest glow, 



Yon sprightly lark on mounting wings will soar, 

 When Henry's name is heard no more below. 



Among these quotations from poets who have 

 celebrated the songs of birds, the following son- 

 net, by Milton, on the Nightingale, is peculiarly 

 beautiful. 



O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray, 

 Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still ; 

 Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost fill, 

 While the jolly hours lead on propitious May. 



Thy liquid notes that close the eve of day, 

 First heard before the shallow cuckoo's bill, 

 Portend success in love j O, if Jove*s will 

 Have linked that amorous power to thy soft lay, 



Now timely sing, ere the rude bird of hate 

 Foretel my hopeless doom in some grove nigh ; 

 As thou from year to year hast sung too late 



For my relief, yet hadst no reason why : 



Whether the Muse or Love, call thee his mate, 

 Both them I serve, and of their train am I. 



In enumerating the list of birds which have 

 been noticed by our poets, the Wood-lark should 

 not be omitted. It is one of our sweetest song- 

 sters. 



The thrush 



And ivood-lark, o'er the kind contending throng 

 Superior heard, run through the sweetest length 

 Of notes.* 



* THOMSON. 



