Page:Landon in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book 1841.pdf/7

Rh

The word Jereed implies the Country of the Palm Branches; and the little azure sparrow, the subject of the following poem, is peculiar to that district, and is called The Father of Friendship.

is a little azure bird, It has a plaintive cry, It singeth mournful to the eve, When none beside are nigh.

But not the less its gentle song Ariseth for the noon; The day has not a lonely hour. Unknowing that sweet tune.

It loveth those with whom it lives, It loveth where it dwells; When the green palm extends its shade Above the desert wells.

Never those azure wings expand, But on their southern wind; At once it dieth, if it leave Its native sands behind.

It pineth with familiar love For its accustomed sky; And even in a golden cage, It lieth down to die.

And for the love it beareth them, The natives hold it true, That whosoever kills this bird Himself must perish too.

A simple but a kind belief, To keep it free from scaith; And blessed whate'er in this cold world Awakens love or faith! L. E. L.