138

SELECT POETRY

They sang as blithe as finches sing

That flutter loose on golden wing,
And frolic where they list ;'

Strangers to liberty, ’tis true,

But that delight they never knew,
And therefore never missed.

But nature works in every breast,

With force not easily supprest ;
And Dick felt some desires,

Which after many an effort vain,

Instructed him at length to gain
A pass between the wires,

The open windows seemed to invite
The freeman to a farewell flight ;
But Tom was still confined ;
And Dick, although his way was clear,
Was much too generous and sincere
To leave his friend behind.

So settling on his cage, by play,

And chirp, and kiss, he seemed to say,
«You must not live alone,”—

Nor would he quit that chosen stand,

Till I with slow and cautious hand,
Returned him to his own.

O ye, who never taste the joys
Of friendship, satisfied with noise,
Fandango,” ball, and rout!

' List—wish, please.
? Fandango—a Spanish dance.