Amidst the golden sunshine, And where the air is balm. See, far below us rolling, The storm-cloud black and wide; The fury of its raging Is as an angry tide! O gentle Bird of Paradise! Whate'er the food thou eatest, Bird, I will eat it too; And, ere it reach the stormy earth, Will drink with thee the dew! My father and my mother, I'll leave them for thy sake; And where thy nest is builded, My pleasant home will make! Amidst the golden sunshine, And where the air is balm. See, far below us rolling, The storm-cloud black and wide; The fury of its raging Is as an angry tide! Bird, I will eat it too; And, ere it reach the stormy earth, Will drink with thee the dew! My father and my mother, I'll leave them for thy sake; And where thy nest is builded, My pleasant home will make! Is it woven of the sunshine And the fragrance of the spice; And cradled round with happiness? Sweet Bird of Paradise! Thus sung an Eastern poet, Á many years ago; Now of the Bird of Paradise A truer tale we know. We know the nest it buildeth Within the forest green; And many and many a traveller Its very eggs hath seen. Yet, lovely Bird of Paradise, They take no charm from thee: Thou art a creature of the earth, And not a mystery! |