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

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

Better one byrde in hand than ten in the wood.

Better one byrde in hand than ten in the wood.

That byrd ys nat honest
That fylythe hys owne nest.

That byrd ys nat honest
That fylythe hys owne nest.

Birds of a feather will gather together.

Birds of a feather will gather together.

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.

Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.

Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.

Hear how the birds, on ev'ry blooming spray,
With joyous musick wake the dawning day.

Hear how the birds, on ev'ry blooming spray,
With joyous musick wake the dawning day.

I was always a lover of soft-winged things.

I was always a lover of soft-winged things.

When the swallows homeward fly,
When the roses scattered lie,
When from neither hill or dale,
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When the swallows homeward fly,
When the roses scattered lie,
When from neither hill or dale,
Chants the silvery nightingale:
In these works my bleeding heart
Would to thee its brief impart;
When I thus thy image lose
Can I, ah! can I, e'er know repose?