Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/295



All the long day the robin on the spray Piped his sweet song To her who on her hidden nest Oft turned beneath her patient breast Her pretty eggs in tender quest All the long day.

All the long day the blossoms on the spray Shook 'neath his song. Kissed by the sun each petal curled To perfect flower, its bloom unfurled To fling fine incense to the world All the day long.

All the long day there passed me on their way A busy throng— The laden bee to her abode, The toiling ant who drew her load Across the danger of the road All the day long.

All the long day I heard from far away A slow ding-dong; Within the vale the village lies, All still beneath the smiling skies, Save this sad bell that swings and cries All the day long.