John Ainslie.

A MELODY.

Afar and near, afar and wide,

The murm’ring chant of a running stream,

Across the rocks to the brimming tide

Of the shining sea, its waters gleam.

Low in the beeches, hid from sight,

A robin is singing a song so sweet,

Its rapturous melody seems a flight

Of song from Heaven’s own azure deep.