BOOK TWO ~~ EARLY SUMMER

To-day within a grog-shop near

I saw a newly captured linnet,

Who beat against his cage in fear,

And fell exhausted every minute;

And when I asked the fellow there

If he to sell the bird were willing,

He told me with a careless air

That I could have it for a shilling.

And so I bought it, cage and all

( Although I went without my dinner ),

And where some trees were fairly tall

And houses shrank and smoke was thinner,

The tiny door I open threw,

As down upon the grass I sank me:

Poor little chap! How quick he flew...

He did n't even wait to thank me.

Life's like a cage; we beat the bars,

We bruise our breasts, we struggle vainly;

Up to the glory of the stars

We strain with flutterings ungainly.

And then — God opens wide the door;

Our wondrous wings are arched for flying;

We poise, we part, we sing, we soar...

Light, freedom, love.... Fools call it — Dying.