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!

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.

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,
On silver pinions, winged her peaceful way.

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

The thrustelcok made eek hir lay,
The wode dove upon the spray
She sang ful loude and read more

The thrustelcok made eek hir lay,
The wode dove upon the spray
She sang ful loude and cleere.

As the hawk is wont to pursue the trembling doves.
[Lat., Ut solet accipiter trepidas agitare columbas.]

As the hawk is wont to pursue the trembling doves.
[Lat., Ut solet accipiter trepidas agitare columbas.]

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

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

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.

And oft I heard the tender dove
In firry woodlands making moan.

And oft I heard the tender dove
In firry woodlands making moan.