An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small,  
  In blast-beruffled plume,  
  Had chosen thus to fling his soul  
  Upon the growing gloom. So little cause for carolings  
  Of such ecstatic sound  
  Was written on terrestrial things  
  Afar or nigh around,  
  That I could think there trembled through  
  His happy good-night air  
  Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew  
  And I was unaware.
"The Darkling Thrush", lines 21-32























