THE ENCAGED BIRD TO HIS MISTRESS.

Lady, sweet lady! let me go, To breathe again my native air; Where mountain streams unfetter'd flow, And wild flowers in profusion bear; Where mingled notes of feather'd throng Pour forth their free, harmonious song, In praise to Him who bids them fly, Bound only by the lofty sky: I pine! I pine! to stretch my wings, And feel the sun's enlivening glow— To join the lay the free-bird sings; Kind lady! let thy prisoner go!

Long have I cheer'd this summer bower, Where oft thy fairy footstep treads; Beguiled for thee the tedious hour, And chased the tear that sorrow sheds: Or, when beneath these clustering vines, Thy lovely form for rest reclines, I charm thy spirit still, in dreams, Wakening by music heavenly themes. And, lady, thou hast charms that win Even the bird encaged to love; Without so fair, sure all within, To meek compassion's touch must move.

Yes, thou art fair; but those blue eyes Are not to me the azure heaven; Nor is the food thy hand supplies, And in such rich abundance given, Sweet as the crumbs by labor earn'd, Ere I of luxury had learn'd; Nor is this splendid cage a home Worth the free woods I long to roam: Think'st me ungrateful for thy care— That all thy fondness I forget? No! songs my warmest thanks shall bear; But, lady, I'm thy prisoner yet!

Say, is there not some kindred-one, Absence from whom 'tis pain to bear— And thus, when thou art here alone, So often falls the pearly tear? Lady, I too had once a mate, When freedom was my happy state; And for that mate I yet do pine, And sorrow oft at day's decline: God hath ordain'd that nought which lives Should live alone, far from its kind; Not only man the bliss receives, Which he in fellowship doth find.

Birds of the air are paired above, By Him who hears the raven's cry; And shall man break the bonds of love 'Twixt harmless songsters of the sky? No! let the little life we live Enjoy the sweets that God doth give; Unshackled sail the ambient air, And carol forth our music there. And thus, by thine own freedom blest— By all the kindness thou canst show, And by the love that heaves thy breast, Lady, sweet lady! let me go!