152 THE COMMON NUTHATCH. 



of Natural History, Nov. 1828. The following 

 lament is founded on this circumstance. 



THE LAMENT OF THE CAPTIVE NUTHATCH. 



From my native haunts in the forest glade, 

 From my pleasant home in its waving shade, 

 They've borne me away to the captive's cell, 

 And they thought I might there in comfort dwell ; 

 And the spoiler stands by my prison grate, 

 And with wonder looks on my restless state. 



" Rest, rest," cries the spoiler, " O rest thee now, 

 Thou art safe as beneath the forest bough ; 

 Oh ! rest, little captive, I pray thee, rest, 

 Though far, far away from thy woodland nest:" 

 But vainly the voice of the spoiler is heard, 

 Inviting to slumber, his captive bird. 



" Rest, rest thee," he cries ; but I cannot rest, 

 So far, far away from my woodland nest 

 From the loved ones I left in the forest bowers, 

 And the freedom and joy that once were ours. 

 A captive, and wounded, say, can there be, 

 Peace or repose in this prison for me ? 



I prepare my tomb for the coming hour, 



When death shall set bounds to the spoiler's power ; 



If I pause for a moment, sorrow and pain 



Summon me back to my labour again. 



My loved ones are lost, my freedom is flown, 



I have only to make my dying moan. 



Unceasing the toil of that captive one, 

 From the dawn of day to the set of sun : 

 When the shadows of night around him fell, 

 There was silence and peace in his lonely cell ; 

 For the pns'ner's weary toil was o'er, 

 And the requiem strain was heard no more. 



