One morning ( raw it was and wet —
A foggy day in winter time )
A Woman onthe road I met,
Not old, though something past her prime:
Majestic in her person, tall and straight;
And like a Roman matron's was her mien and gait.
The ancient spirit is not dead;
Old times, thought I, are breathing there;
Proud was I that my country bred
Such strength, a dignity so fair:
She begged an alms, like one in poor estate;
I looked at her again, nor did my pride abate.
When from these lofty thoughts I woke,
“What is it,” said I, “that you bear,
Beneath the covert of your Cloak,
Protected from this cold damp air?”
She answered, soon as she the question heard,
“A simple burthen, Sir, a little Singing-bird.”
And, thus continuing, she said,
“I had a Son, who many a day
Sailed on the seas, but he is dead;
In Denmark he was cast away:
And I have travelled weary miles to see
If aught which he had owned might still remain for me.
“The bird and cage they both were his:
‘ Twas my Son's bird; and neat and trim
He kept it: many voyages
The singing-bird had gonewith him;
When last he sailed, he left the bird behind;
From bodings, as might be, that hung upon his mind.
“He to a fellow-lodger's care
Had left it, to be watched and fed,
And pipe its song in safety;— there
I found it when my Son was dead;
And now, God help me for my little wit!
I bearit with me, Sir;— he took so much delight in it.”