THE SONG SPARROW.
A little gray bird with a speckled breast,
Under my window has built his nest;
He sits on at twig and singeth clear
A song that overfloweth with cheer:
"Love! Love! Love!
Let us be happy, my love.
Sing of cheer."
Sweet and true are the notes of his song;
Sweet—and yet always full and strong,
True—and yet they are never sad,
Serene with that peace that maketh glad:
"Life! Life! Life!
Oh, what a blessing is life;
Life is glad!"
Of all the birds, I love thee best,
Dear Sparrow, singing of joy and rest;
Rest—but life and hope increase,
Joy—whose spring is deepest peace:
"Joy! Life! Love!
Oh, to love and live is joy,—
Joy and peace."
Miss Harriet E. Paine: Bird Songs of New England.