Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

The Oxford Book of Canadian Verse

To a Humming-bird in a Garden

George Murray (1830–1910)

BLITHE playmate of the Summer time,

Admiringly I greet thee;

Born in old England’s misty clime,

I scarcely hoped to meet thee.

Com’st thou from forest of Peru,

Or from Brazil’s savannahs,

Where flowers of every dazzling hue

Flaunt, gorgeous as Sultanas?

Thou scannest me with doubtful gaze,

Suspicious little stranger!

Fear not, thy burnished wings may blaze

Secure from harm or danger.

Now here, now there, thy flash is seen,

Like some stray sunbeam darting,

With scarce a second’s space between

Its coming and departing.

Mate of the bird that lives sublime

In Pat’s immortal blunder,

Spied in two places at a time,

Thou challengest our wonder.

Suspended by thy slender bill,

Sweet blooms thou lov’st to rifle;

The subtle perfumes they distil

Might well thy being stifle.

Surely the honey-dew of flowers

Is slightly alcoholic,

Or why, through burning August hours,

Dost thou pursue thy frolic?

What though thy throatlet never rings

With music, soft or stirring;

Still, like a spinning-wheel, thy wings

Incessantly are whirring.

How dearly I would love to see

Thy tiny cara sposa,

As full of sensibility

As any coy mimosa!

They say, when hunters track her nest,

Where two warm pearls are lying,

She boldly fights, though sore distrest,

And sends the brigands flying.

What dainty epithets thy tribes

Have won from men of science!

Pedantic and poetic scribes

For once are in alliance.

Crested Coquette, and Azure Crown,

Sun Jewel, Ruby-Throated,

With Flaming Topaz, Crimson Down,

Are names that may be quoted.

Such titles aim to paint the hues

That on the darlings glitter,

And were we for a week to muse,

We scarce could light on fitter.

Farewell, bright bird! I envy thee,

Gay rainbow-tinted rover;

Would that my life, like thine, were free

From care till all is over!