AD AQUILAM

“Bird of the broad and sweeping wing,”

O bird of whom the poets sing,

O emblem of the noblest thing

Of which mankind can boast!

Didst thou but know thy image decked

That which commands the world's respect,

And makes kings kneel as slaves abject

To it, their god, almost:

Then thou wouldst soar to greater height

Than e'er attained by birds of flight,

To show the eagle's power and might,

With wings unfurled and stiff;

And at that dizzy height survey

The sea and land without dismay,

Till weary, sink at close of day

Upon thy mountain cliff:

And there secure from all the world,

Nestle, with plumed wings closely furled

That sustained thee and o'er earth whirled

Thee with a haughty air.

Ambitions would disturb thy dreams,

The night air shudder with thy screams,

And like the human soul that teems

With vain-glorious care,

Thy heart would ache, thy soul would long,

To move the world, to sway the throng,

Or be the hero of the song

Of some great epic pen.

‘ Tis well O bird that thou art free

To soar the air,‘ tis well with thee,

‘ Tis well that thou hast eyes to see,

But not the human ken.