I. THE bird, let loose in Eastern skies, When hastening fondly home, Ne'er stoops to earth her wing, nor flies Where idle warblers roam. But high she shoots through air and light, Above all low delay, Where nothing earthly bounds her flight, Nor shadow dims her way. II. So grant me, God, from every care, And stain of passion free, Aloft, through virtue's purer air, To hold my course to Thee! No sin to cloud -- no lure to stay My soul, as home she springs; -- Thy sunshine on her joyful way, Thy freedom in her wings! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SONG FROM THE COPTIC by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE THE LAIRD O' COCKPEN by CAROLINA OLIPHANT NAIRNE THERE WAS A BOY (VERSION 1) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH IN LIGHTER VEIN by ELIZABETH KEMPER ADAMS FOR THE QUEEN MOTHER by JOHN BETJEMAN |