The Rook

“The morn dawned bright, the sun was high,
The Duke, went out his hawks to try,
page 24 Well trained, he judged, I ween:
The rook was circling high in air,
His new-fledged pinions to prepare,
No danger there was seen.
“The hood was cast, the bird up flew,
He missed the prey that was in view,
And pounded on the rock;
With broken wing he fell to ground,
The village boys were playing round,
And pity on him took.
“Pity, first germ of generous thought,
Young nature's impulse felt untaught,
Thy kindly spark I prize;
Prospective virtue, noble mind,
Justice, mercy, love of kind,
All that adorns the wise …” (etc.)