8 BIRDS or P. 1:. ISLAND. 
     
    
   
   
    
     “Their forms all symmetry, their motions grace, 
     
     \Vith wings that seem as they‘d a soul within them, 
     
     They hear their owners with such sweet enchantment." 
     
    
   
   
    
     Borne on equal wings, they are the embodi- 
     
    
   
   
    
     ment of independent power. Like the eagle, 
     
    
   
   
    
     “ Firm on his own mountain strength relying, 
     
     Breasting the dark storm, the red bolt defying, 
     
     l'Iis wing on the wind and his eye on the sun, 
     
     I‘le swerves not a hair, but hears onward, right on." 
     
    
   
   
    
     They are the emblem of love. The fond doves 
     
     are the spirit of tenderest devotion. And what 
     
    
   
   
    
     shall we say of the music of birds? 
     
    
   
   
    
     “Sounds of rental showers 
     
     0n the trickling grass, 
     
     Rain - awakened flowers, 
     
     All that ever was 
     
     joyous, and Clear, and fresh, their music doth surpass.” 
     
    
   
   
    
     Wordsworth says to the Skylark: 
     
    
   
   
    
     “Joyous as morning, 
     
    

    
     Thou art laughing and scorning: 
     
     Thou hast a nest for thy love and‘ thy rest; 
     
     And though little trouliled with sloth, 
     
     Drunken Lark! thou wouldst he loth 
     
    

    
     To he such a traveller as 1. 
     
    

    
     Happy, happy liver! 
     
    

    
     \\'ith a soul as strong as a mountain river, 
     
    
   
   
    
     Pouring out praise to the Almighty Giver."