[ ]

THE GRAY LINNET

There's a little gray friar in yonder green bush,

Clothed in sackcloth—a little gray friar,

Like the druid of old in his temple—but hush!

He's at vespers; you must not go nigher.

Yet, the rogue! can those strains be addressed to the skies,

And around us so wantonly float,

Till the glowing refrain like a shining thread flies

From the silvery reel of his throat?