| William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. (1878–1962). Anthology of Massachusetts Poets. 1922. |
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| The Voice in the Song |
| | | Mary Gertrude Hamilton |
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| HIGH in the apple bough jauntily swinging, | |
| Hid by the branches in bridal array, | |
| Straight from his heart, all his life in his singing, | |
| Chants a wee bird, lures his mate with his lay. | |
| “Sweet, sweet, my sweet, | 5 |
| Hear I entreat! | |
| Say, love, together, this bright sunny weather, | |
| Gold of the west we shall weave in a nest! | |
| Have no fear! Trust me, dear! | |
| Sunshine of May that will gild every day | 10 |
| Pledge I to thee if thou’lt harken to me.” | |
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| Lo! in the light thro’ the gay branches streaming, | |
| Quivering in answer to all the bird sings, | |
| Warm on a breath, leaps a soul with love gleaming, | |
| Speeds to its mate on its glittering wings. | 15 |
| “Dear, on thy breast | |
| Earth yields its best! | |
| Loud in the singing I heard thy call ringing, | |
| Pleading and strong in the voice of the song, | |
| Whisper low,—Yes, just so!— | 20 |
| Softly revealing the depth of thy feeling, | |
| Words in whose fire glow thy love and desire.” | |
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