English poem
A Feather
by Julian Russell Sturgis (1848–1904)
"Drop me a feather out of the blue, Bird flying up to the sun:" Higher and higher the skylark flew, But dropped he never a one.
"Only a feather I ask of thee Fresh from the purer air:" Upward the lark flew bold and free To heaven, and vanished there.
Only the sound of a rapturous song Throbbed in the tremulous light; Only a voice could linger long At such a wondrous height.
"Drop me a feather!" but while I cry, Lo! like a vision fair, The bird from the heart of the glowing sky Sinks through the joyous air.
Downward sinking and singing alone, But the song which was glad above Takes ever a deeper and dearer tone, For it trembles with earthly love.
And the feather I asked from the boundless heaven Were a gift of little worth; For oh what a boon by the lark is given When he brings all heaven to earth!