Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

VI. Animate Nature

Unmusical Birds

William Cowper (1731–1800)

TEN thousand warblers cheer the day, and one

The livelong night: nor these alone, whose notes

Nice-fingered Art must emulate in vain,

But cawing rooks, and kites that swim sublime

In still repeated circles, screaming loud,

The jay, the pie, and ev’n the boding owl,

That hails the rising moon, have charms for men.

Sounds inharmonious in themselves and harsh,

Yet heard in scenes where peace for ever reigns

And only there, please highly for their sake.