10 BIRDS AND POETS 



calling through the night for its lost mate — that I 

 consider quite unmatched in our literature : — 



Once, Paumanok, 

 When the snows had melted, and the Fifth-month grass was 



growing, 

 Up this seashore, in some briers. 

 Two guests from Alabama — two together, 

 And their nest, and four light green eggs, spotted with brown, 

 And every day the he-bird, to and fro, near at hand. 

 And every day the she-bird, crouched on her nest, silent, with 



bright eyes. 

 And every day I, a curious boy, ijever too close, never disturbing 



them, 

 Cautiously peering, absorbing, translating. 



Shine! Shine! Shine! 

 Pour down your warmth^ great Sun ! 

 While we bask — we two together. 



Two together ! 

 Winds blow South, or winds blow North, 

 Day come white, or night come black. 

 Some, or rivers and mountains from home. 

 Singing all time, mending no time, 

 If we two but keep together. 



Till of a sudden. 

 Maybe killed, unknown to her mate. 

 One forenoon the she-bird crouched not on the nest, 

 Nor returned that afternoon, nor the next. 

 Nor ever appeared again. 



And thenceforward, all summer, in the sound of the sea, 

 And at night, under the full of the moon, in calmer weather, 

 Over the hoarse surging of the sea. 

 Or flitting from brier to brier by day, 

 I saw, I heard at intervals, the remaining one, the he-bird, 

 The solitary guest from Alabama. 



Blow ! blow ! blow ! 

 Blow up, sea-winds, along Paumanoh^s shore ! 

 I wait and I wait, till you blow my mate to me. 



