REPROOF OF A BIRD.
Reading edition
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BY JOSEPH EVANS SNODGRASS.
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“Look forth on Nature’s face and see
What smiles play on her blissful cheek!
In voice of love she speaks thro’ me,
When I thy homestead, daily seek!
“Canst thou be sad while trees and flowers
Wear looks of goodness—while each spear
Of herbage which adorns thy bowers,
Its head so gladsomely, doth rear?
“Behold those dew-drops on each leaf,
But think not they of sorrow tell;
They’re tears of gladness, not of grief,
That God-ward from each petal swell.
“O’er fears of hunger brood’st thou? See
How fare we of the wing, and those
Of floral life! Nor yet toil we
Nor spin—and still none hunger knows.
“Raise, then, thy head! Dream not of woe,
Who human bosoms loves to sway!
Again I bid thee look—for lo!
All else but thee wear smiles to-day!”
Sweet bird! reprove no more;—thy song
Shames these sad feelings in my breast,
Which it hath cherished far too long,
As if some welcome angel-guest.
I own, if cherish’d, they too soon,
Like fabled serpent in the breast,
Would venom only leave as boon,
For being by a fool carest!
Of gladness speak thy notes alone—
Of calmest self-content—and say
Plainly to hearts of sadden’d tone—
’Tis best to cast sad thoughts away.