When birds of paradise have lent

Their plumage for his wings?

✷    ✷    ✷    ✷

NOT OURS THE VOWS.

By Thomas Love Peacock (1785–1866).

Not ours the vows of such as plight

Their troth in sunny weather,

While leaves are green and skies are bright,

To walk on flowers together.

But we have loved as those who tread