I fear the red cock—if he crow to-night— I keep him close and warm, ’Twere ill with me, if he should wake in fright And you out in the storm. I dare not smile for fear my laugh would ring Across your dying ears; O, if you, drifting, drowned, should hear me sing And think I had not tears. I never thought the sea could wake such waves, Nor that such winds could be; I never wept when other eyes grew blind For some one on the sea. p. 69But now I fear and pray all things for you, How many dangers be! I set my wheel aside, what can I do When you are on the sea? p. 69 p. 70MY NEIGHBOUR’S GARDEN p. 70 Why in my neighbour’s garden Are the flowers more sweet than mine? I had never such bloom of roses, Such yellow and pink woodbine. Why in my neighbour’s garden Are the fruits all red and gold, While here the grapes are bitter That hang for my fingers’ hold? Why in my neighbour’s garden Do the birds all fly to sing? Over the fence between us One would think ’twas always spring. I thought my own wide garden Once more sweet and fair than all, Till I saw the gold and crimson Just over my neighbour’s wall. But now I want his thrushes, And now I want his vine, If I cannot have his cherries That grow more red than mine. p. 71The serpent ’neath his apples Will tempt me to my fall, And then—I’ll steal my neighbour’s fruit Across the garden wall. p. 71 p. 72AN IRISH BLACKBIRD p. 72 This is my brave singer, With his beak of gold; Now my heart’s a captive In his song’s sweet hold.
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