Sir John Hanmer (1809-1881). V. Singing-Birds. Hunt and Lee, comps. 1867. The Book of the Sonnet

Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867.

V. Singing-Birds

By Sir John Hanmer (1809–1881)


SWEET is thy voice, embowered Nightingale,
But for thy praise would fail my weaker song;
Sweet all thy airy kindred, that belong
To Nature’s happiest haunts, by field or vale;
And some there are, that, in the shadows pale	5
Of cavernous dim towns, make yearn the throng;
Prisoners are they, and blind, yet seems more strong
The melody of their lives’ remembered tale.
Ye are the accepted poets: wheresoe’er
Your notes have sounded, joy hath thither come,	10
As flowers to forest wells, serene and clear:
Fame wears ye not, that eats the hearts of some:
Those unambitious accents man doth hear,
And straight the importunate voice of self is done.