IRature (Rotes : 
abe Selborne Society’s flDacia3tne. 
No. 4. APRIL 15, 1890. Vol. I. 
THE MAVIS AND THE MERLE.* 
With swiftly broken sentences of song, 
’Ere yet the stars had faded to the grey 
The Thrush began ; he fluted all the day, 
And when the sun set, did his tune prolong 
In passionate iterations ; thro’ the throng 
Of inexpressible thoughts, from far away 
Came a sad voice, a solemn liquid lay, 
A silver undercurrent clear and strong ; 
That was the Blackbird's — he who tho’ his bill 
Be gold and gay, has never changed his weeds. 
For ever, though the crocus flame and die, 
And buttercup to daffodil succeeds, 
He feels that love is linked with sorrow still, * 
He knows how soon the little ones will fly. 
H. D. Rawnsley. 
* “ Written after carefal listening to the note of Thrush and Blackbird .” — Extract 
from Author's letter. 
