Poems (Rice)/To a Robin

by Maria Theresa Rice

TO A ROBIN.

SING, O beautiful bird of the morning;
 Trill out thy song and then listen to me.
Minstrel of light, awake since the dawning
 Of day, I would bear a message to thee;
I, too, like thee, would pour out my gladness,
 My gratitude render in tremulous song;
I, too, like thee, would banish all sadness,
 Shadows dispel which at parting will throng.

I, too, like thee, would fly over mountain,
 Flitting about on my mission all day;
I, too, would linger in forest, by fountain,
 Chanting an anthem, or musical lay;
Under the leaves wait, while I deliver
 My loving farewell to Dartmouth, bright bird;
Alas! only fragments of thought can I gather;
 Too much the sources of feeling are stirred.

Thou canst inspire with thy witching numbers
 Every sad heart, as thou hast now mine own;
Scatter the clouds where sorrow encumbers,
 Carrying peace from thine emerald throne:
I would implore for those I am leaving,
 Those who my pathway with pleasure have lined,
Garlands of gems, which fancy is weaving,
 More brilliant than language ever combined.

Roaming about, so wild and so gifted,
 Thy praises attuning to every desire,
However depressed, every eye is uplifted;
 Sweet robin, come closer and let me admire.
Now take. my farewell; take it, and soften
 And carol it gently to every heart;
Gratefully, kindly, reminding them often
 Of me, lovely songster, when I depart.