Oh, the little birds sang east, and the little birds sang west.

And I said in underbreath,—all our life is mixed with death,

And who knoweth which is best?

Oh, the little birds sang east, and the little birds sang west,

And I smiled to think God’s greatness flowed around our incompleteness—

Round our restlessness, His rest.

E. B. Browning (Rhyme of the Duchess May).


I go to prove my soul!

I see my way as birds their trackless way.