Explore "Shapes & Shadows" by Madison Cawein on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Beyond the orchard, in the lane, / The crested red-bird sings again -- / O bird, whose song says, "Have no care." / Should I not care when CONSTANCE there, -- / My CONSTANCE, with the bashful gaze, / Pink-gowned like some sweet hollyhock, -- / If I declare my love, just says / Some careless thing as if in mock? / Like -- "Past the orchard, in the lane, / How sweet the red-bird sings again"!
There, while the red-bird sings his best, / His listening mate sits on the nest -- / O bird, whose patience says, "All's well", / How can it be with me, now tell? / When CONSTANCE, with averted eyes, -- / Soft-bonneted as some sweet-pea, -- / If I speak marriage, just replies / With some such quaint irrelevancy, / As, "While the red-bird sings his best, / His loving mate sits on the nest".