Jump to content

Far, Far at Sea (Stirling)/The Woodpecker

From Wikisource
For other versions of this work, see The Woodpecker.

THE WOODPECKER.

I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curl'd
Above the green elms, that a cottage was near;
And I said, 'if there's peace to be found in the world,
A heart that is humble might hope for it here.'

Every leaf was at rest, and I heard not a sound,
But the Woodpecker tapping the hollow beech tree.

'And herein this lone little wood,' I exclaim'd,
With a maid who was lovely to soul and to eye;
Who would blush when I prais'd her, and weep if I blam'd;
How blest could I live, and how calm could I die.'
Every leaf, &c.

'By the shade of yon sumach, whose red berry dips
In the gush of the fountain, how sweet to recline,
And to know that I sigh'd upen innocent lips,
Which ne'er had been sigh'd on by any but mine.
Every leaf, &c.