THE RING-DOVE. 179 



tain-dove ; and in honour of her, the dove was 

 used by the Syrians and Assyrians as a military 

 ensign. 



THE DOVE. 



The dove hath left her safe retreat, 

 And flown abroad on pinions fleet ; 

 O'er vale and mountain hath she sped, 

 And hath not where to rest her head. 

 No woodland nest, no shelt'ring tree, 

 No forest home her eye can see ; 

 No place of rest her foot can find, 

 Save in the ark she left behind. 



Forsaken ark ! thy safe retreat 



Fain would the weary wand'rer greet ; 



With flagging wing and feeble frame, 



She seeks the home from whence she came. 



And will the door unclose again, 



Or shall the exile plead in vain ? 



Oh! not in vain her plaintive cry ; 



For there is One whose wakeful eye, 



Still watching in the failing light, 



Beholds from far her homeward flight, 



Opens again the closed door, 



And takes the wand'rer in once more. 



Oh ! rest thee now, thou wand'ring dove, 

 Bound by the silken cord of love; 

 Within that sacred ark remain, 

 Nor tempt the faithless world again. 



