Ruffled throat and bosom’s sheen,
Thrill of wing, of gold or green,
Sapphire, crimson—gorgeous dye
Lost or found across the sky,
’Midst the glory of the air,
Birds who tenderer colors wear?
What to us the free bird’s song,
Breath of passion, breath of wrong,
Wood-heart’s orchestra, her life,
Breath of love and breath of strife,