SONGS OF TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE SONG OF THE CITY SPARROWS. WHEN the summer-time is ended, When the martins and the swallows Then the people can remember That, although we're plain and songless, But we hover round the window, And when drizzly dull November In a dim and dreary pall; When the streets all fade to dreamland, And the people follow fast, And it seems as though the sunshine M Then we glide among the housetops, And we track the murky waste, And we go about our business With a cheerful earnest haste : Not as though our food were plenty, Then, although the open country Even till the spring returneth, Give their love and gentle words; And we, yet again descending Still we're happy, happy, happy, We enliven sombre winter, And we're loved while it doth last, And we're not the only creatures Who must live upon the past. With a chirrup, chirrup, chirrup, We are happy, happy, happy, Never minding what we be; For we know the good Creator Even cares for such as we ! SADIE. THE FOUNTAIN. INTO the sunshine, Full of the light, When the winds blow! Into the starlight Rushing in spray, Happy by day! Ever in motion Blithsome and cheery, Never aweary ;— Glad of all weathers, Still seeming best, Nothing can tame, Ceaseless aspiring, Ceaseless content, Darkness or sunshine Glorious fountain! Let my heart be Fresh, changeful, constant, Upward, like thee! LOWELL. |