"A bird flew down when the sun set red,
To sing his hymn from the reed's bowed head
To God, the All-good Giver.
Bowed by the weight of the singing bird,
At long, long last the waters stirred,
As the reed's plume touched the river.
"'Oh! glad and sweet,' sang the bird, 'is Life,
And Death is sweet, bringing Peace to Strife,
But Love is God's best treasure.
It cometh best when it comes unsought,
It giveth all, and it asketh naught,
For true love hath no measure,'
"The bird flew home when its song had ceased.
The reed, from its one dear kiss released,
Shall give another never;