The Bird and Insects' Post Office - Robert Bloomfield

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that I cannot be a proper judge of the matter. As to the swallows and many other birds going to a vast distance, there is no wonder in that, if you look at their wings; but how would you, for instance, perform such a journey – you who, even when you sing, put yourself into a violent passion, as if you had not a minute to live? We nightingales are the birds for song. This you will acknowledge, I dare say, though I have not begun yet. I will give you a specimen when I come back (if I am really to go), and you will hear me in "Home Wood" when it is dark, and you have crept into your little nest in the hovel.

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      1

      This part of the letter is very difficult of translation, as the plain word, in spiders' language, means merely "a deep one." – R. B.

      2

      Cowper, that excellent man and poet, and

1

This part of the letter is very difficult of translation, as the plain word, in spiders' language, means merely "a deep one." – R. B.

2

Cowper, that excellent man and poet, and close observer of nature, writes as follows to his friend, on the 11th of March, 1792: —

"TO JOHN JOHNSON, ESQ

"You talk of primroses that you pulled on Candlemas Day, but what think you of me, who heard a nightingale on New Year's Day? Perhaps I am the only man in England who can boast of such good fortune. Good indeed! for if was at all an omen, it could not be an unfavourable one. The winter, however, is now making himself amends, and seems the more peevish for having been encroached on at so undue a season. Nothing less than a large slice out of the spring will satisfy him."

He adds the following lines on the occasion: —

"TO THE NIGHTINGALE, WHICH THE AUTHOR HEARD SING ONNEW YEAR'S DAY, 1792"Whence is it that amazed I hearFrom yonder wither'd spray,This foremost morn of all the year,The melody of May?"And why, since thousands would be proudOf such a favour shown,Am I selected from the crowd,To witness it alone?"Sing'st thou, sweet Philomel, to me,For that I also longHave practised in the groves like thee,Though not like thee in song?"Or, sing'st thou rather under forceOf some divine command,Commissioned to presage a courseOf happier days at hand?"Thrice welcome then! for many a longAnd joyless year have I,As thou to-day, put forth my songBeneath a wintry sky."But thee no wintry skies can harm,Who only need'st to singTo make e'en January charm,And every season spring.R.B."

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