O birds, your perfect virtues bring, Your song, your forms, your rhythmic flight, Your manners for your heart’s delight, Nestle in hedge, or barn, or roof, Here weave your chamber weather-proof, Forgive our harms, and condescend To man, as to a lubber friend, And, generous, teach his awkward race Courage, and probity, and grace! ] RALPH WALDO EMERSON