l62 AIvEXANDER WILSON : POET-NATURAUST 



When morning dawns, and the bright sun again 

 Leaves the flat forests of the Jersey main, 

 Then through our woodbines, wet with gUtt'ring dews, 

 The flow'r-fed humming-bird his round pursues, 

 Sips with inserted tube the honey'd blooms, 

 And chirps his gratitude, as round he roams; 

 While richest roses, though in crimson drest. 

 Shrink from the splendor of his gorgeous breast. 

 What heav'nly tints in mingling radiance fly! 

 Each rapid movement gives a difif'rent dye; 

 Like scales of burnish'd gold they dazzling show ; 

 Now sink to shade, now furnace-bright they glow. 



High on the waving top of some tall tree. 



Sweet sings the thrush to morning and to me; 



While round its skirts, 'midst pendent boughs of green. 



The orange Baltimore is busy seen. 



Prone from the points his netted nest is hung, 



With hempen cordage curiously strung; 



Here his young nestlings safe from danger lie. 



Their craving wants the teeming boughs supply. 



Gay chants their guardian, as for food he goes. 



And waving breezes rock them to repose. 



The white-wing'd woodpecker with crimson crest, 



Who digs from solid trunks his curious nest. 



Sees the long black snake stealing to his brood. 



And, screaming, stains the branches with its blood. 



Here o'er the woods the tyrant king-bird sails. 

 Spreads his long wings, and every foe assails, 

 Snaps the returning bee with all her sweets, 

 Pursues the crow, the diving hawk defeats. 

 Darts on the eagle downwards from afar. 

 And 'midst the clouds prolongs the whirling war. 



