When on my cottage falls the placid shower, <br />When ev'ning calls the labourer home to rest, <br />When glad the bee deserts the humid flower, <br />O then the bird assumes her peaceful nest. <br /> <br />When sable shadows grow unshapely tall, <br />And Sol's resplendent wheel descends the west, <br />The knell of respiration tolls for all, <br />And Hesper smiles upon the linnet's nest. <br /> <br />When o'er the mountain bounds the fair gazell, <br />The night bird tells her day-departing jest, <br />She gladly leaves her melancholy dell, <br />And spreads her pinions o'er the linnet's nest. <br /> <br />Then harmless Dian spreads her lucid sail, <br />And glides through ether with her silver crest, <br />Bidding the watchful bird still pour her tale, <br />And cheer the happy linnet on her nest. <br /> <br />Thus may some guardian angel bear her light, <br />And o'er thy tomb, departed genius, rest, <br />Whilst thou shalt take thy long eternal flight, <br />And leave some faithful bird to guard thy nest.<br /><br />George Moses Horton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-happy-bird-s-nest/
