Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 41 1834/On Watching the Flight of a Skylark

by Felicia Hemans

For other versions of this work, see Records of Passing Thought. IV. On Watching the Flight of a Skylark.

The New Monthly Magazine, Volume 41, Page 429

IV.
On Watching the Flight of a Skylark.

Upward and upward still! In pearly light
    The clouds are steep'd; the vernal spirit sighs
    With bliss in every wind; and crystal skies
Woo thee, O Bird! to thy celestial height.
Bird, piercing heaven with music, thy free flight
    Hath meaning for all bosoms,—most of all
For those wherein the rapture and the might
    Of Poesy lie deep, and strive and burn
    For their high place. Oh, heirs of Genius! learn
From the sky's bird your way!—no joy may fill
    Your hearts, no gift of holy strength be won
    To bless your songs, ye Children of the Sun,
Save by the unswerving flight—upward and upward still!