Anthology of Massachusetts Poets

<h2><SPAN name="chap34"></SPAN>THE VOICE IN THE SONG</h2> <p class="poem"> High in the apple bough jauntily swinging,<br/> Hid by the branches in bridal array,<br/> Straight from his heart, all his life in his singing,<br/> Chants a wee bird, lures his mate with his lay.<br/> &ldquo;Sweet, sweet, my sweet,<br/> Hear I entreat!<br/> Say, love, together, this bright sunny weather,<br/> Gold of the west we shall weave in a nest!<br/> Have no fear! Trust me, dear!<br/> Sunshine of May that will gild every day<br/> Pledge I to thee if thou&rsquo;lt harken to me.&rdquo;<br/> <br/> Lo! in the light thro&rsquo; the gay branches streaming,<br/> Quivering in answer to all the bird sings,<br/> Warm on a breath, leaps a soul with love gleaming,<br/> Speeds to its mate on its glittering wings.<br/> &ldquo;Dear, on thy breast<br/> Earth yields its best!<br/> Loud in the singing I heard thy call ringing,<br/> Pleading and strong in the voice of the song,<br/> Whisper low,&mdash;Yes, just so!&mdash;<br/> Softly revealing the depth of thy feeling,<br/> Words in whose fire glow thy love and desire.&rdquo;<br/></p> <p class="left"> MARY GERTRUDE HAMILTON</p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />