BENEATH these fruit-tree boughs that shed br Their snow-white blossoms on my head, br With brightest sunshine round me spread br Of spring's unclouded weather, br In this sequestered nook how sweet br To sit upon my orchard-seat! br And birds and flowers once more to greet, br My last year's friends together. br br One have I marked, the happiest guest br In all this covert of the blest: br Hail to Thee, far above the rest br In joy of voice and pinion! br Thou, Linnet! in thy green array, br Presiding Spirit here today, br Dost lead the revels of the May; br And this is thy dominion. br br While bird, and butterflies, and flowers, br Make all one band of paramours, br Thou, ranging up and down the bowers, br Art sole in thy employment: br A Life, a Presence like the Air, br Scattering thy gladness without care, br Too blest with any one to pair; br Thyself thy own enjoyment. br br Amid yon tuft of hazel trees, br That twinkle to the gusty breeze, br Behold him perched in ecstasies, br Yet seeming still to hover; br There! where the flutter of his wings br Upon his back and body flings br Shadows and sunny glimmerings, br That cover him all over. br br My dazzled sight he oft deceives, br A Brother of the dancing leaves; br Then flits, and from the cottage eaves br Pours forth his song in gushes; br As if by that exulting strain br He mocked and treated with disdain br The voiceless Form he chose to feign, br While fluttering in the bushes.