Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/22

 The White-throated Sparrow, a provident bird, Revealed deepest wisdom in simplest word;

"Sow wheat and sow plenty—oh yes, sow a plenty, Though Peverly's small he has hunger of twenty."

"When the granary's full, and reapers go feastin', I'll cheer you ag'in, with my fiddle-in', fiddle-in', The long hours through, a-fiddle-in', fiddle-in'."

A versatile singer, an artist o'er shy, Now uplifted his voice to his Maker on high.

No pause in the rhythm of the Song Sparrow's lay; And I pondered and wondered as on flew the day: "Is this high Art's way?"

While still rolled his "swee-e-t, swee-e-t, bitter"— The philosophy of life, from a plain, little flitter.

Pond'ring I lingered and forgot me to eat, A captive held fast in fair Nature's retreat.

BLUEBIRD AND FAMILY. Photo by the Author.