THE CAGED BIRD.

Pretty bird! pretty bird!

Singing so sweet;

Art wishing for freedom—

Bird-friends to meet?

II.

Dost thou guess what it is—

Living in trees?

And to sleep in a nest

Rocked by the breeze?

III.

Thou wert born in a cage,

My own dear bird!

But, I fancy, new longings

Thy heart have stirred.

IV.

Or perhaps to the garden

Some bird has flown,

And taught thee of freedom,

Before unknown.

If I open thy cage

And bid thee to fly,

Wilt thou ever come back,

To gladden mine eye?

VI.

Shall I hear thy sweet song,

Morning and eve?

Or wilt thou forever

Thy mistress leave?

VII.

Well, dear little bird!

I'll open thy door:

Fly forth to the woods;

I'll cage thee no more.

VIII.

But when winter months come,

With storm-winds that blow,

Come back; I will shelter thee

From the storm and snow.