from "Landscapes" by T.S. Elliot

V. Cape Ann

 

O quick quick quick, quick hear the song sparrow,

Swamp sparrow, fox-sparrow, vesper sparrow

At dawn and dusk. Follow the dance

Of goldenfinch at noon. Leave to chance

The Blackburnian wabler, the shy one. Hail

With shrill whistle the note of the quail, the bob-white

Dodging the bay-bush. Follow the feet

Of the walker, the water-thrush. Follow the flight

Of the dancing arrow, the purple martin. Greet

In silence the bullbat. All are delectable. Sweet sweet sweet

But resign this land at the end, resign it

To its true owner, the tough one, the sea gull.

The palaver is finished.