Classic Poem

Colibri

The Powers below, good friends, I've bent
To own my sway:
Hither a little Imp they've sent,
In token that they're quite content,
And will obey
He's a humming-bird; by night,
On my pillow see him light —
Kiss me, gentle, darling sprite!
Kiss me, my humming-bird!.

Waking and humming, as the day
Dawns, breaks, and beams,
His tiny body glancing gay
With emerald, azure, golden ray,
All brightly gleams
Flowers will nod to parent stem —
Fluttering, poised, like one of them,
Smiles Aurora on my gem:
Kiss me, my humming-bird!

Is my aid sought for? at my call
Forthwith he flies:
He waves his wings, and from them fall
Wealth, honors, love, days gladsome — all,
All he supplies
If my thirsty spirit sigh,
He can fill my goblet high,
When my mouth has drained it dry:
Kiss me, my humming-bird!

Mark, how he can my bidding do
On sea or shore;
And from Golconda or Peru
Bring to our ports, to greet my view,
Their glittering ore
But away with golden heaps,
Whilst a nation silent weeps,
And to death, unheeded, creeps!
Kiss me, my humming-bird!

A coronet I see him bind
Upon my brow:
A palace with tall columns lined
He gives me; guards, and love — such kind
As Courts allow
But, away! their tales I know,
Earth, in spite of Glory's show,
Utters many a cry of woe —
Kiss me, my humming-bird!

For gifts, let's ask the lowly shed —
The well-closed door —
Songs — wine — sweet roses round us spread —
Peace, such as theirs who cloisters tread —
These — nothing more!
Thus my Eden I arrange;
These — but see my bird — how strange —
To a piquant houri change!
Kiss me, my humming-bird!