THE WHITETHROAT.

By Theodore Harding Rand

Shy bird of the silver arrows of song,

That cleave our Northern air so clear,

Thy notes prolong, prolong,

I listen, I hear:

“I — love — dear — Canada,

Canada, Canada.”

O plumes of the pointed dusky fir,

Screen of a swelling patriot heart,

The copse is all astir,

And echoes thy part!...

Now willowy reeds tune their silver flutes

As the noise of the day dies down;

And silence strings her lutes,

The Whitethroat to crown....

O bird of the silver arrows of song,

Shy poet of Canada dear,

Thy notes prolong, prolong,

We listen, we hear:

“I — love — dear — Canada,

Canada, Canada.”