"O NIGHTINGALE! THOU SURELY ART"

          O NIGHTINGALE! thou surely art
          A creature of a "fiery heart":--
          These notes of thine--they pierce and pierce;
          Tumultuous harmony and fierce!
          Thou sing'st as if the God of wine
          Had helped thee to a Valentine;
          A song in mockery and despite
          Of shades, and dews, and silent night;
          And steady bliss, and all the loves
          Now sleeping in these peaceful groves.                      10
          I heard a Stock-dove sing or say
          His homely tale, this very day;
          His voice was buried among trees,
          Yet to be come at by the breeze:
          He did not cease; but cooed--and cooed;
          And somewhat pensively he wooed:
          He sang of love, with quiet blending,
          Slow to begin, and never ending;
          Of serious faith, and inward glee;
          That was the song--the song for me!                         20
                                                              1807.