XII. High from the earth I heard a bird

HIGH from the earth I heard a bird;
        He trod upon the trees
As he esteemed them trifles,
        And then he spied a breeze,
And situated softly
        Upon a pile of wind
Which in a perturbation
        Nature had left behind.
A joyous-going fellow
        I gathered from his talk,
Which both of benediction
        And badinage partook,
Without apparent burden,
        I learned, in leafy wood
He was the faithful father
        Of a dependent brood;
And this untoward transport
        His remedy for care, --
A contrast to our respites.
        How different we are!