THE NIGHTINGALE. 135 



All foundlings his offspring— no moment of care 

 Devotes male or female their children to rear. 



sings as finely as in its native woods ; but this is questionable. It 

 is occasionally to be seen in cages in London, where it sings 

 during many months of the year ; but it is not, I believe, ever 

 known to breed in confinement here. See Mr. Sweet's letter 

 in the Introduction. 



Although this bird in its natural state sings only for about two 

 months in the year, yet Cowper, the celebrated poet, once 

 heard it sing on New Year's Day, and has recorded the fact in 

 some beautiful lines; and which fact, but from such an autho- 

 rity, I should be very much disposed to question. It is proba- 

 ble, however, that the nightingale, which Cowper heard, was 

 domesticated. An opinion has been occasionally entertained, 

 that this bird usually sleeps on, or with its breast against a thorn; 

 under the impression, I suppose, that, in such a painful situa- 

 tion, it would necessarily remain awake. The thought seems 

 puerile; and is not, of course, entitled to the least credit; yet 

 Young, Thompson, and Sir Philip Sidney, have alluded to 

 the supposed fact; Lord Byron treats it as a fable: 



" The Nightingale, that sings with the deep thorn, 

 Which fable places in her breast of wail, 

 Is lighter far of heart and voice than those 

 Whose headlong passions form their proper woes/' 



Don Juan, Canto VI. 



" Griefs sharpest thorn hard pressing on my breast, 

 I strive with wakeful melody to cheer 

 The sullen gloom, sweet Philomel! like thee, 

 And call the stars to listen." 



Young's Night Thoughts, Night I. 



" The lowly Nightingale, 

 A thorn her pillow, trills her doleful tale." 



Thompson's Hymn to May. 



