The earth was green, the sky was blue: br I saw and heard one sunny morn br A skylark hang betweent he two, br A singing speck above the corn; br br A stage below, in gay accord, br White butterflies danced on the wing, br And still the singing skylark soared, br And silent sank and soared to sing. br br The cornfield stretched a tender green br To right and left beside my walks; br I knew he had a nest unseen br Somewhere among the million stalks. br br And as I paused to hear his song br While swift the sunny moments slid, br Perhaps his mate sat listening long, br And listened longer than I did.