Well did they know that service all by rote, And there was many and many a lovely note, Some, singing loud, as if they had com plained; Some with their notes another manner feigned, XX. And, as I with the Cuckoo thus 'gan chide, XXI. Ah! good sweet Nightingale! for my heart's cheer, Hence hast thou stay'd a little while too long; XXII. But hear you now a wondrous thing, I pray As long as in that swooning-fit I lay, Methought I wist right well what these birds meant, And had good knowing both of their intent, And of their speech, and all that they would say, XXIII. And some did sing all out with the full The Nightingale thus in my hearing spake Good Cuckoo, seek some other bush or brake, throat. XVI. They pruned themselves, and made them- And, prithee, let us that can sing dwell here, selves right gay, Dancing and leaping light upon the spray; XVII. Meanwhile the stream, whose bank I sate upon, Was making such a noise as it ran on XVIII. And for delight, but how I never wot, XIX. And that was right upon a tree fast by, Full little joy have I now of thy cry. |