The+Two+Birds

**The Two Birds** By George Henry Boker

Two birds hang from two facing windows: One on a lady’s marble wall; The other, a seamstress’ sol companion, Rests on her lattice dark and small.

The one, embowered by rare exotics, Swings in a curious golden cage; The other, beside a lone geranium, Peeps between wires of rusty age.

The one consumes a dainty seedling, That, leagues on leagues, in vessel comes; The other pecks at the scanty leavings Strained from his mistress’ painful crumbs.

The lady’s bird has careful lackeys To place him in the cheerful sun; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Upon her bird the seamstress glances, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Between each stitch, till work is done.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Doubtless the marble wall shines gayley, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">And sometimes to the window roam <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Guests in their stately silken garments; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">But yon small bird looks more like home.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Doubtless the tropic flowers are dazzling, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The golden cage is rare to see; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">But sweeter smells the low geranium, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The mean cage has more liberty.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">‘T is well to feed upon the fruitage <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Brought from a distant southern grove; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">But better is a homely offering, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Divided by the hand of love.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The purchased service of a menial <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">May, to the letter, fill its part; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">But there’s an overflowing kindness <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Springs from the service of a heart.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Hark! Yonder bird begins to warble: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Well done, my lady’s pretty pet! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Thy song is somewhat faint and straitened, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Yet sweeter tones I’ve seldom met.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">And now the seamstress’ bird.—O, listen! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Hear with what power his daring song <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Sweeps through its musical divisions, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">With skills assured, with rapture strong!

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Hear how he trills; with what abundance <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">He flings his varied stores away; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Bursting through wood and woven iron <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">With the wild freedom of his lay!

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Cease, little prisoner to the lady, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Cease, till the rising of the moon; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Thy feeble song is all unsuited <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">To the full midday glare of June.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Cease, for thy rival’s throat is throbbing <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">With the fierce splendor of the hour; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">His is the art that grasps a passion, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">To cast it back with ten-fold power.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Cease, until yonder feathered poet <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Through all his wondrous song has run, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">And made the heart of wide creation <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Leap in the glory of the sun.

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