jTHE EAGLE AND THE CANARY 213 



condition — feelings which have an admixture of 

 something like a sense of shame or guilt, as if an 

 injustice had been done, and I had stood by con- 

 senting. I did not do it, but we did it. I remem- 

 ber Matthew Arnold's feeling lines on his dead 

 canary, "Poor Matthias," and quote: 



Yet, poor bird, thy tiny corse 

 Moves me, somehow, to remorse; 

 Something haunts my conscience, brings 

 Sad, compunctious visitings. 

 Other favourites, dwelling here, 

 Open lived with us, and near; 

 Well we knew when they were glad 

 Plain we saw if they were sad; 

 Sympathy could feel and show 

 Both in weal of theirs and woe. 



Birds, companions more unknown, 

 Live beside us, but alone; 

 Finding not, do all they can, 

 Passage from their souls to man. 

 Kindness we bestow and praise, 

 Laud their plumage, greet their lays; 

 Still, beneath their feathered breast 



