8 Bird Day Book 



EXTRACT. 



ALIGHT broke in up my brain, — 

 It was the carol of a bird; 

 It ceased, and then it came again, 



The sweetest song ear ever heard, 

 And mine was thankful till my eyes 

 Ran over with the glad surprise, 

 And they that moment could not see 

 I was the mate of misery; 

 But then by dull degrees - came back 

 My senses to their wonted track; 

 I saw the dungeon walls and floor 

 Close slowly round me as before, 

 I saw the glimmer of the sun 

 Creeping as it before had done, 

 But through the crevice where it came 

 That bird was perch'd, as fond and tame, 



And tamer than upon the tree; 

 A lovely bird, with azure wings, 

 And songs that said a thousand things, 



And seem'd to say them all for me ! 

 I never saw its like before, 

 I ne'er shall see its likeness more; 

 It seem'd like me to want a mate, 

 But was not half so desolate, 

 And it was come to love me when 

 None lived to love me so again, 

 And, cheering from my dungeon's brink, 

 Had brought me back to feel and think. 

 I know not if it late were free, 



Or broke its cage to perch on mine, 

 But knowing well captivity, 



Sweet bird! I could not wish for thine! 

 Or if it were, in winged guise, 

 A visitant from Paradise ; 

 For — Heaven forgive that thought ! the while 

 Which made me both to weep and smile — 



