Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| 395. Sonnet on the Author’s Birthday |
| | | | | On hearing a Thrush sing in his Morning Walk. |
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| SING on, sweet thrush, upon the leafless bough, | |
| Sing on, sweet bird, I listen to thy strain, | |
| See aged Winter, ’mid his surly reign, | |
| At thy blythe carol, clears his furrowed brow. | |
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| So in lone Poverty’s dominion drear, | 5 |
| Sits meek Content with light, unanxious heart; | |
| Welcomes the rapid moments, bids them part, | |
| Nor asks if they bring ought to hope or fear. | |
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| I thank thee, Author of this opening day! | |
| Thou whose bright sun now gilds yon orient skies! | 10 |
| Riches denied, thy boon was purer joys— | |
| What wealth could never give nor take away! | |
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| Yet come, thou child of poverty and care, | |
| The mite high heav’n bestow’d, that mite with thee I’ll share. | |
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