4648382Poems — The Escaped BirdFrances M. Sharpless
THE ESCAPED BIRD
An open door, a flash of gleaming wings,
   And in the soft air free,
My mocking bird is flown, and sits and sings
   In yonder garden tree.

Too brief his joy! for at the exultant sound,
   Hasting from near and far,
Pert sturdy sparrows gather closely round,
   And shriek for savage war.

"We know not this strange bird," they shrilly cry;
   "Down with the saucy thing!
No sparrow wears such tail, strike at his eye;
   How dare the creature sing!"

Trembling and panting from this welcome rude,
   He hastened to his cage,
E'en to the very window close pursued
   By their insensate rage.

So fares the soul who 'mid the hustling crowd
   Ventures a nobler song;
The strange sweet melody, sustained and loud,
   Angers the stupid throng.

Yet sing, oh heart! forbear not for the pain;
   And somewhere thou shalt hear
A kindred melody reply again
   In pure vibrations clear.