Boy and Bird.
“Little bird, upon that tree,
Sing, I pray, a song to me;
Are you happy all day long,
Tell me, tell me, in your song?”
“I am happy, little boy,
To be free is all my joy;
In the shade, or in the sun,
I am still a happy one.
“In the gay and merry spring,
I am free to play and sing;
I am the summer free to fly,
Where I will, beneath the sky.”
“But in winter, sad and drear,
What, my bird, will give you cheer?
What will warm you in the frost?
What will save when tempest-tost?”
“Being free, my little boy,
Freedom is my winter’s joy;
This will ever cheer my heart,
Though all other joys depart;
“This will keep me blithe and warm,
Through the frost and through the storm;
Little boy, oh! love, like me,
Ever, ever to be free!
“Free to do, and free to dare,
The very worst, for freedom’s air;
Free and fearless of the strong,
Free to all—BUT DOING WRONG!”