Page:A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (1st ed.).djvu/28



grove is silent, and alone is heard The pious mourning of a widowed bird, Who weeps unceasingly her mate at rest, Her offspring nestled to her throbbing breast. O'erwhelmed in woe her faithful heart, she steeps In sorrow's fount, and mournful vigil keeps, Becoming grief! yet certain seasons past It is decreed, the dark hour may not last. The heart's warm blood with gentle joy elate At Nature's bidding, asks another mate. Wise dispensation for the common good, A feeling never to be long withstood. Love lives on memory till time soften'd hours Into another source its fondness pours. Soon as the feather'd choir began to sing, Their hymn of gratitude to welcome spring. Each innate feeling thus by music stirr'd, Its genial influence reach'd the Widowed Bird.