I heard a Stock-dove sing or say
His homely tale, this very day;
His voice was buried read more

I heard a Stock-dove sing or say
His homely tale, this very day;
His voice was buried among trees,
Yet to be come at by the breeze:
He did not cease; but cooed--and cooed:
And somewhat pensively he wooed:
He sang of love, with quiet blending,
Slow to begin, and never ending;
Of serious faith, and inward glee;
That was the song,--the song for me!

And there my little doves did sit
With feathers softly brown
And glittering eyes that showed their read more

And there my little doves did sit
With feathers softly brown
And glittering eyes that showed their right
To general Nature's deep delight.

The Dove,
On silver pinions, winged her peaceful way.

The Dove,
On silver pinions, winged her peaceful way.

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I
fly away, and be read more

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I
fly away, and be at rest.

. . . The dove and very blessed spirit of peace, . . .

. . . The dove and very blessed spirit of peace, . . .

Anon, as patient as the female dove
When that her golden couplets are disclosed,
His silence will read more

Anon, as patient as the female dove
When that her golden couplets are disclosed,
His silence will sit drooping.

Listen, sweet Dove, unto my song,
And spread thy golden wings in me;
Hatching my tender heart read more

Listen, sweet Dove, unto my song,
And spread thy golden wings in me;
Hatching my tender heart so long,
Till it get wing, and flie away with Thee.

See how that pair of billing doves
With open murmurs own their loves
And, heedless of censorious read more

See how that pair of billing doves
With open murmurs own their loves
And, heedless of censorious eyes,
Pursue their unpolluted joys:
No fears of future want molest
The downy quiet of their nest.

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.