60 Bird Day Book 



"THE BROOKSIDE AND THE HILLSIDE" 



THE stream beneath a bridge had made a pool 

 Of dusky water, fring'd with sedge and reeds, 

 Where water lilies their white vases oped 

 Each with a gem of gold within its heart. 

 On the slant bank the wild rosebushes grew, 

 All their pink petals to the view disclos'd, 

 Their images reflected in the wave. 

 Here flew the bright kingfishers, blue and gold, 

 Foll'wing in flight the windings of the stream ; 

 And here a bird with snow-white, downy breast, 

 The water-ouzel, dipping its black bill, 

 Perched on a mossy stone, or skimmed the wave: 



It was a fairy scene to charm the eye! 

 Down the swift stream, amid the shadow's dusk, 

 The gnat swarms hovered, and the minnows bright 

 Twinkled and lighten'd in the sweeping tide, 

 And leaped the trout where insects sought the wave. 

 The sweetest song-birds from each bending twig 

 And coppice pour'd their souls in liquid strains ; 

 And heavens above were sunshine, and the earth 

 Rejoiced in a full fruition of the day ; 

 Delicious were the bird-hymns, and most sweet 

 The trickling murmur of the running brook." 



— John Keats. 



