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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HOSPITAL BIRD, by JOHN BANISTER TABB Poet's Biography
First Line: A breath of joy, sweet bird
Last Line: Dear to all hearts as thine.
Alternate Author Name(s): Father Tabb
Subject(s): Birds
First Line: A breath of joy, sweet bird
Last Line: Dear to all hearts as thine.
Alternate Author Name(s): Father Tabb
Subject(s): Birds
A breath of joy, sweet bird,
A solace to each prisoner of pain,
A pledge of hope returning, is thy strain
Through the long watches heard.
The soul in sleepless sighs,
Or else in dreams, through panting hours, the prey,
Hails in thy voice a prophecy of day
Ere yet the darkness flies.
The tender babe, new-born,
The dying mother startled by its wail,
The fevered brow, the cheek of madness pale,
The bosom rest-forlorn,
Each, with emotion strong,
Heaves through the billowed agonies of night,
Whilst over them, a glittering foam of light,
Drifts thy unshadowed song.
How vast its influence sweet!
How small the voiceful compass of thy throat,
Whereof each silver scintillating note
A thousand blessings greet!
Teach me the power divine
Some light o'er dark humanity to fling,
Some song of hope celestial to sing,
Dear to all hearts as thine.
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