A thrush alit on a young-leaved spray, br And, lightly clinging, br It rocked in its singing br As the rapturous notes rose loud and gay; br And with liquid shakes, br And trills and breaks, br Rippled though blossoming bough of May. br br Like a ball of fluff, with a warm brown throat br And throbbing bosom, br 'Mid the apple-blossom, br The new-fledged nestling sat learning by rote br To echo the song br So tender and strong, br As it feebly put in its frail little note. br br O blissfullest lesson amid the green grove! br The low wind crispeth br The leaves, where lispeth br The shy little bird with its parent above; br Two voices that mingle br And make but a single br Hymn of rejoicing in praise of their love.