XCIV

HIGH from the earth I heard a bird;

   He trod upon the trees

As he esteemed them trifles,

   And then he spied a breeze,

And situated softly

   Upon a pile of wind

Which in a perturbation

   Nature had left behind.

A joyous-going fellow

   I gathered from his talk,

Which both of benediction

   And badinage partook,

Without apparent burden,

I learned, in leafy wood

He was the faithful father

   Of a dependent brood;

And this untoward transport

   His remedy for care,—

A contrast to our respites.

   How different we are!