Classic Poem

WHO PERISHED IN AN APARTMENT WHERE HE CAME FOR SHELTER .

Sweet, gentle Bird! whose shiv'ring breast,
 When dreary snows had chill'd the plain,
To Pity came, a gentle guest!
 Nor ask'd a shelter there in vain.

Sweet bird! whose soft endearing pow'r,
 By Gratitude more pleasing grew!
'Twas thine to charm the weary hour,
 And cheer thy benefactor too;

To sooth him with thy warbling lay,
 With playful tricks his smile to win,
And frowning Care flew far away,
 When gentle Robin once came in!

But oh! the killing winter soon
 Has pierc'd, within the keen abode,
Ev'n there where Pity gave its boon,
 Ev'n there where Gratitude has glow'd!

And both shall now bestow a tear,
 (Tho' more, alas! they cannot do)
They smil'd on Robin's short career,
 They pay him now their last adieu!

Benevolence itself shall bless
 The tear, which kindly now shall fall,
'Tis her's the stranger to caress—
 'Tis Charity's TO FEEL FOR ALL .