A little time for saying Words the heart breaks to say, A short, sharp time wherein to pray, Then no more need for praying; But long, long years to weep in, Great grief that desolates the soul, PHILIP BOURKE MARSTON. THE SICK MAN AND THE BIRDS. THE SICK MAN. PRING,-art thou come, O Spring! How hast thou heart to sing, THE BLACKBIRD. I sing for joy to see again The little bud grown ripe ; And look, my love upon the bough! "Pipe! Pipe!" THE SICK MAN. Ah! weary is the sun; Love is an idle thing: But, Bird, thou restless one, What ails thee, wandering? 218 THE SICK MAN AND THE BIRDS. THE SWALLOW. By shore and sea I come and go, To seek I know not what-and lo! But voices bid me rise once more, To flit again by sea and shore, "Flit! Flit!" THE SICK MAN. This is Earth's bitter cup : Only to seek, not know. THE LARK. A secret Spirit gifteth me With song, and wing that lifteth me, Striving amain to reach the sky, THE SICK MAN. My hope hath lost its wing. Thou, that to Night dost call, Thy tears made musical? THE NIGHTINGALE. Alas for me! a dry desire Is all my song,—a waste of fire To me, dim shapes of ancient crime Moan through the windy ways of Time, "Wail! wail!" THE SICK MAN. Thine is the sick man's song,- AUSTIN DOBSON. |