Birds and Nature, Vol. VIII, No 4, November 1900 — Song

Harriet Woodbridge.

SONG.

Day is dying!

Float, O song, Down the westward river, Requiem chanting to the Day-- Day, the mighty Giver.

Pierced by shafts of Time he bleeds, Melted rubies sending Through the river and the sky, Earth and heaven blending;

All the long-drawn earthly banks Up to cloud-land lifting: Slow between them drifts the swan, 'Twixt two heavens drifting.

Wings half open, like a flow'r, Inly deeper flushing, Neck and breast as Virgin's pure-- Virgin proudly blushing.

Day is dying!

Float, O swan, Down the ruby river;

Follow, song, in requiem To the mighty Giver.

--George Eliot, in the Spanish Gypsy.

THE AMERICAN EARED GREBE.