Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Swallow's Return

The Swallow's Return.

Welcome, welcome, feathered stranger! Now the sun bids Nature smile;Safe arrived, and free from danger, Welcome to our blooming isle;Still twitter on my lowly roof, And hail me at the dawn of day,Each morn the recollected proof Of time that ever fleets away!

Fond of sunshine, fond of shade, Fond of skies serene and clear,Even transient storms thy joys invade In fairest seasons of the year;What makes thee seek a milder clime?— What bids thee shun the wintry gale?—How knowest thou thy departing time? Hail! wondrous bird; hail, swallow, hail!

Sure something more to thee is given Than myriads of the feathered race,Some gift divine, some spark from heaven, That guides thy flight from place to place!

Still freely come, still freely go, And blessings crown thy vigorous wing;May thy wide flight meet no rude foe, Delightful messenger of spring.