to a city pigeon.
53
I'd fly where'er my fancy led the way,
Far from the noise and discord reigning here;
Light on green lawns, where leafy shadows play,
And drink from bubbling fountains bright and clear:
Seek out the scented violet's mossy bed,
Hid from the sunbeam by a clustering vine;
I'd know each bank with daisies overspread,
And at the cottage porch, where wild brier's twine,
There would I pause, to catch the household hymn,
Ringing in infant tones, out in the twilight dim.
Far from the noise and discord reigning here;
Light on green lawns, where leafy shadows play,
And drink from bubbling fountains bright and clear:
Seek out the scented violet's mossy bed,
Hid from the sunbeam by a clustering vine;
I'd know each bank with daisies overspread,
And at the cottage porch, where wild brier's twine,
There would I pause, to catch the household hymn,
Ringing in infant tones, out in the twilight dim.
And can'st thou linger? In its pride, the rose
Hangs on the garden wall, to lure the bee;
Clad in her summer beauty, Nature glows,
And must she smile to bless all else but thee?
Thou answerest, there are ties to keep thee here
A parent's love swells in thy gentle breast;
Thou can'st not leave the fluttering brood so dear,
And hie thee out to find a greener nest
Have they not wings like thee to follow on?
Would they not seek the land, where thou before had'st gone?
Hangs on the garden wall, to lure the bee;
Clad in her summer beauty, Nature glows,
And must she smile to bless all else but thee?
Thou answerest, there are ties to keep thee here
A parent's love swells in thy gentle breast;
Thou can'st not leave the fluttering brood so dear,
And hie thee out to find a greener nest
Have they not wings like thee to follow on?
Would they not seek the land, where thou before had'st gone?
