The Birds reported from the South --

The Birds reported from the South --
A News express to Me --
A spicy Charge, My little friends --[^a1]Posts --
But you must go[^a2]I am deaf -- Today --

[^a1: friends -- | friends --]

[^a2: you must go | you must go]

The Flowers -- appealed -- a timid Throng --
I only sealed Nor I -- Herself -- Our Compact --[^a3]reinforced the Door --
Go blossom to the Bees -- I said --
And harass[^a4]trouble Me -- no More --

[^a3: only sealed Nor I -- Herself -- Our Compact -- | only sealed Nor I -- Herself -- Our Compact --]

[^a4: harass | harass]

The Summer Grace, for Notice strove --
Remote -- Her best Array -- The Heart -- to stimulate the Eye
Refused too utterly --

At length, a Mourner, like Myself,
She drew away austere --
Her frosts to ponder -- then it was
I recollected Her --

She suffered Me, for I had mourned --
I offered Her no word --
My Witness -- was the Crape I bore --
Her -- Witness -- was Her Dead --

Thenceforward -- We -- together dwelt --
I never questioned Her --
Our Contract
A Wiser Sympathy

away