Classic Poem

Ah! that half bashful and half eager face!
Among the trees thy guardian angel stands,
With his heart beating, lest thy little hands
Should come among the shadows and efface
The stainless beauty of a life of love,
And childhood innocence — for hark, the boys
Are peering through the hedgerows and the grove,
And ply their cruel sport with mirth and noise;
But thou hast conquer'd! and dispell'd his fear;
Sweet is the hope thy youthful pity brings —
And oft, methinks, if thou shalt shelter here
When these blue eggs are linnets' throats and wings,
A secret spell shall bring about the tree
The little birds that owed their life to thee.