180 THE RING-DOVE. 



THE CUSHAT, OR RING-DOVE. 



When the flowers of May are seen, 

 And fields and woods again are green ; 

 When summer skies are softly blue, 

 We hear the ring-dove's gentle coo. 

 That peaceful sound to me is dear, 

 I love that soft coo, coo, to hear. 



It seems with sweet and gentle voice, 

 In nature's bounties to rejoice : 

 It seems to say, what home so blest, 

 So tranquil as the cushat's nest ? 

 That soft coo, coo, to me is dear, 

 I love the peaceful sound to hear, 



Wand' ring at eve the woods among, 

 I love to hear the ring-dove's song ; 

 Or at the noon-tide's sultry hour, 

 Reposing in the sylvan bower. 

 That peaceful sound is ever dear, 

 I love that soft coo, coo, to hear. 



Let me hear that gentle strain, 

 Soft cooing cushat, once again ; 

 To my list'ning ear it seems 

 Like peaceful music heard in dreams. 

 That gentle sound is ever dear, 

 I love that soft coo, coo, to hear. 



