26.12.2010, 13:29
BIRD-NESTING.
Ah ! that half bashful and half eager face !
Among the trees thy guardian angel stands,
With his heart beating, lest thy little hands
Should come among the shadows and efface
The stainless beauty of a life of love.
And childhood innocence—for hark, the boys
Are peering through the hedgerows and the grove,
And ply their cruel sport with mirth and noise ;
But thou hast conquer'd ! and dispell'd his fear ;
Sweet is the hope thy youthful pity brings —
And oft, methinks, if thou shalt shelter here
When these blue eggs are linnets' throats and wings,
A secret spell shall bring about the tree
The little birds that owed their life to thee.
Ah ! that half bashful and half eager face !
Among the trees thy guardian angel stands,
With his heart beating, lest thy little hands
Should come among the shadows and efface
The stainless beauty of a life of love.
And childhood innocence—for hark, the boys
Are peering through the hedgerows and the grove,
And ply their cruel sport with mirth and noise ;
But thou hast conquer'd ! and dispell'd his fear ;
Sweet is the hope thy youthful pity brings —
And oft, methinks, if thou shalt shelter here
When these blue eggs are linnets' throats and wings,
A secret spell shall bring about the tree
The little birds that owed their life to thee.