Paradise: In a Symbol
(Lyra Eucharistica, second edition, 1865.)
Golden-winged, silver-winged,Winged with flashing flame,Such a flight of birds I saw,Birds without a name:Singing songs in their own tongue(Song of songs) they came.
One to another calling,Each answering each,One to another callingIn their proper speech: 10High above my head they wheeled,Far out of reach.
On wings of flame they went and cameWith a cadenced clang,Their silver wings tinkled,Their golden wings rang,The wind it whistled through their wingsWhere in Heaven they sang.
They flashed and they dartedAwhile before mine eyes, 20Mounting, mounting, mounting stillIn haste to scale the skies—Birds without a nest on earth,Birds of Paradise.
Where the moon riseth not,Nor sun seeks the west,There to sing their gloryWhich they sing at rest,There to sing their love-songWhen they sing their best: 30
Not in any gardenThat mortal foot hath trod,Not in any flowering treeThat springs from earthly sod,But in the garden where they dwell,The Paradise of God.