The Birds

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God. ~ Luke, xii, 6.

ES of the air! whose favored

May wander through the realms of space,  Free guests of earth and sky;

In form, in plumage, and in song,

What gifts of nature mark your throng  With bright variety!

Nor differ less your forms, your flight,

Your dwellings hid from hostile sight,  And the wild haunts ye love;

Birds of the gentle beak! how

Your wood-note, to the wanderer's ear,  In shadowy vale or grove!

Far other scenes, remote, sublime,

Where swain or hunter may not climb,  The mountain-eagle seeks;

Alone he reigns, a monarch there,

Scarce will the chamois' footstep dare  Ascend his Alpine peaks.

Others there are, that make their

Where the white billows roar and foam,  Around th' o'erhanging rock;

Fearless they skim the angry wave,

Or sheltered in their sea-beat cave,  The tempest's fury mock.

Where Afric's burning realm expands,

The ostrich haunts the desert sands,  Parched by the blaze of day;

The swan, where northern rivers glide,

Through the tall reeds that fringe their tide,  Floats graceful on her way.

The condor, where the Andes tower,

Spreads his broad wing of pride and power,  And many a storm defies;

Bright in the orient realms of morn,

All beauty's richest hues adorn  The Bird of Paradise.

Some, amidst India's grove of palm,

And spicy forests breathing balm,  Weave soft their pendent nest;

Some, deep in western wilds,

Their fairy form and plumage gay,  In rainbow colors drest.

Others no varied song may pour,

May boast no eagle-plume to soar,  No tints of light may wear;

Yet, know, our Heavenly Father

The least of these, and well provides  For each, with tenderest care.

Shall He not then thy guardian be?

Will not his aid extend to thee?  Oh! safely may'st thou rest!?

Trust in his love, and e'en should pain,

Should sorrow tempt thee to complain,  Know, what He wills is best!

In this line 'Birds of the gentle beak! how dear'The Italians call all singing birds,

Birds of the gentle beak.