The mellow wood-notes, or the screaming yell,
Attest thy perfect art—thy imitations prove.
Oh, spirit-bird! to man thou hast been sent,
To teach Omnipotence by gush of song,
Bringing bright thoughts of goodness, that is blent
In all that gladdens—all that glides along—
And if, perchance, this teaching be not vain,
To win him upward, where he may rejoice
’Mid holy love, pure scenes, and sacred strain
Of heavenly praise, such as I hear from thee, thou voice!