Poems (Baldwyn)/To my Canaries

by Augusta Baldwyn

TO MY CANARIES.

Oh, when the earliest beams of light
 Illume the sky, my birds then sing!
While trees and flow'rs and streams are bright,
 Lift, lift the gentle flut'ring wing,—
Sweet birds! sing blithely to the morn
 That rises o'er the glowing earth,
While dewy drops the flow'rs adorn,
 And young life utters joyous mirth.
Oh, sweetly sing,
And may your echoes through my chamber ring

The summer woods are bright and fair,
 And flow'rs breathe sweetest fragrance too;
My gentle birds! you love my care,
 Nor need to sip the morning dew.
Here, guarded through the wintry hours
 And shelter'd from the summer storm,
Your cages shaded o'er with flowers,
 You never know a sad alarm.
            But sweetly sing,
While I withal to you your repast bring!

This is your home, and here your song
 Is full of joy and sweet delight;
To you, sweet birds, no cares belong,—
 You fold the fearless wings at night.
No cruel cat, or bird of prey,
 Shall harm one primrose-colour'd plume;
Your merry song shall cheer my day,
 And I will guard you in the gloom!
            Then sweetly sing,
And give to joy your grateful offering!