52 NATURE IN ACADIE. 



vision with his ■ hearty laughter. So spring comes, and 

 from his narrow cage the poor imprisoned songster 

 pours forth incessantly his tale of love to far-away ears 

 that hear not, straining his soft breast against the cruel 

 bars that alone separate him from life and liberty. 

 And so the spring passes, with its gladness of warmth 

 and sunshine, its busy birds, and insects, and flowers, 

 while the little captive ceases his song, and, perchance, 

 languishes gradually away, and before spring returns 

 Death has ransomed him from his troubles — his all- 

 powerful touch has burst the narrow prison and carried 

 away the frail remains to winnow in his mighty granary 

 and plant again in the garden of Life, who will water 

 them with living tears until the eternal spring shall raise 

 them once more into some fair blossom that will go 

 forth afresh to scatter seeds of truth and beauty upon 

 the earth. 



