I was always a lover of soft-winged things.

I was always a lover of soft-winged things.

He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the
bush.

He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the
bush.

The nightingale has a lyre of gold,
The lark's is a clarion call,
And the blackbird plays read more

The nightingale has a lyre of gold,
The lark's is a clarion call,
And the blackbird plays but a boxwood flute,
But I love him best of all.
For his song is all the joy of life,
And we in the mad spring weather,
We two have listened till he sang
Our hearts and lips together.

You must not think, sir, to catch old birds with chaff.

You must not think, sir, to catch old birds with chaff.

Never look for birds of this year in the nests of the last.

Never look for birds of this year in the nests of the last.

To warm their little loves the birds complain.

To warm their little loves the birds complain.

The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements.

The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements.

Did ever raven sing so like a lark
That gives sweet tidings of the sun's uprise?

Did ever raven sing so like a lark
That gives sweet tidings of the sun's uprise?

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich
in thy bedchamber; for a read more

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich
in thy bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice,
and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.