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On fair Britannia's isle, bright bird,

A legend strange is told of thee,-
'Tis said thy blithesome song was hushed
While Christ toiled up Mount Calvary,
Bowed 'neath the sins of all mankind;
And humbled to the very dust
By the vile cross, while viler men

Mocked with a crown of thorns the Just.
Pierced by our sorrows, and weighed down
By our transgressions, -faint and weak,
Crushed by an angry Judge's frown,
And agonies no word can speak,-
'Twas then, dear bird, the legend says
That thou, from out His crown, didst tear
The thorns, to lighten the distress,
And ease the pain that he must bear,
While pendant from thy tiny beak

The gory points thy bosom pressed,
And crimsoned with thy Saviour's blood
The sober brownness of thy breast!
Since which proud hour for thee and thine.
As an especial sign of grace

God pours like sacramental wine

Red signs of favor o'er thy race!

DELLE W. NORTON-To the Robin Redbreast.

5

You have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe your arms, like a malcontent; to relish a lovesong, like a robin redbreast.

Two Gentlemen of Verona. Act II. Sc. 1. L. 16.

6

The Redbreast, sacred to the household gods, Wisely regardful of the embroiling sky,

In joyless fields and thorny thickets leaves

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