The Blackcap 
And doubtless Milton's dark¬ 
ened sight 
Thy melody beguiled. 
For fancy flies with gladsome 
mood. 
As trill in murm’rous flows 
Thy plaintive joys, to Arden's 
wood, 
On where Herne's bugle 
blows. 
With this thought be thy song 
inspired, 
This thy life’s brightest 
page ;— 
Blackcap, by all thy friends 
admired, 
But loved by Selborne’s 
sage. 
Among the varied songs of 
May 
That gladden field or grove, 
I deem, blithe bird, thy wood¬ 
land lay 
All other songs above. 
The skylark cheers the grassy 
plain, 
The thrush may whistle 
strong 
From budding elms, a wilder 
Strain 
Is thine, a dearer song. 
Sure am I that our Shake¬ 
speare's might 
Thrilled at thy woodnotes 
wild ; 
Vi ; 
