Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/57

The song of the birds The merle and mavis seemed to shake
The leaves in cadence, while each brake
With small fowl rang, as they would try
Their throats in choral rivalry.
’Twould seem as all and each of these
Sweet birds sang joyance to the breeze.670
And then, their hearts disburdened, flew
To keep some loving rendezvous.
The sweet melodious harmony
That winged its way from tree to tree.
With such soft symphony did fall
As concert ’twere celestial.
For never yet hath mortal ear
Been tuned such heavenlike songs to hear.
And past all thought it seemed that earth
Could give such glorious music birth.
Then all at once it broke on me
I heard the syrens of the sea.
For they alone I trow can bring
To ears of men such carolling.
I vow that when beneath the shade
The birds such glorious music made.
My spirit and soul were like to melt
And fail with that delight I felt.
For ne’er ere this, my whole life through.
Did joy so unalloyed bedew600
My every sense, and ecstasy
Ran through the very soul of me.
Bethought I then what untold debt
I owed Dame Idleness, who set
My feet in this surpassing place,
For ’twas alone through her good grace
And kindliness I entrance gained
To this fair haunt wherein Mirth reigned