Page:Poems Brown.djvu/106

And every sudden noise I hear
 Causes me to start.
The woods look green and fair,
 Mistress dear, to me,
And upon the boughs so tall
 Many birds I see."

"Birdie mine, birdie mine,
 Why breathe this lay?
'Tis too sad to please my heart:
 Be happy while you may.
Utter then a joyous tone,
 Birdie dear, birdie dear,
And I'll lave your golden head.
 With the water clear.
Envy you the wild-wood songsters,
 Singing in the dell?
Answer, birdie; answer, dear,
 And thy sorrows tell."

"O mistress dear, my heart is sad,
 My bosom wildly beats;
But as I pine, one song I'll sing;
 'Tis, Liberty is sweet."