Asian Birds. Robert Bridges (1844-1930). VI. Animate Nature. Bliss Carman, et al., eds. 1904. The World's Best Poetry. V. Nature

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

VI. Animate Nature

Asian Birds

Robert Bridges (1844–1930)


IN this May-month, by grace
of heaven, things shoot apace.
The waiting multitude
of fair boughs in the wood,—
How few days have arrayed	5
their beauty in green shade!

What have I seen or heard?
it was the yellow bird
Sang in the tree: he flew
a flame against the blue;	10
Upward he flashed. Again,
hark! ’t is his heavenly strain,

Another! Hush! Behold,
many, like boats of gold,
From waving branch to branch	15
their airy bodies launch.
What music is like this,
where each note is a kiss?

The golden willows lift
their boughs the sun to sift:	20
Their silken streamers screen
the sky with veils of green,
To make a cage of song,
where feathered lovers throng.

How the delicious notes	25
come bubbling from their throats!
Full and sweet, how they are shed
like round pearls from a thread,
The motions of their flight
are wishes of delight.	30

Hearing their song, I trace
the secret of their grace.
Ah, could I this fair time
so fashion into rhyme,
The poem that I sing	35
would be the voice of spring.