flapping bird

ThePhoenixBird凤凰

e,

inthefirstro,magewasbeautiful,hissongglorious,

nEvepluckedthefruitof

thetreeofknowledge,andsheandAdamweredrivenfromparadi,asparkfellfrom

d

perishedintheflames,butfromtheredegginthenestthereflewanewbird,the

onlyoneofitskind,endtellsushowhelives

inArabiaandhoweverycenturyheburnshimlftodeathinhisnest,buteachtime

anewphoenix,theonlyoneintheworld,fliesoutfromtheredegg.

Thebirddartsaboutasswiftaslight,beautifulincolor,

amothersitsbesideherinfant'scradle,hettlesonthepillowandformsaglory

sthroughtheroomofcontentment

andbringssunshineintoit,andhemakesthevioletsonthehumblecupboardsmell

sweet.

limmerofthenorthernlights

hefliesovertheplainsofLaplandandhopsamidtheyellowflowersintheshort

neaththecoppermountainsofFalun,andinEngland'scoal

mines,hefliesintheformofapowderedmothoverthehymnbookrestinginthehands

tsdownthesacredwatersoftheGangesonalotusleaf,

andtheeyeoftheHindumaidbrightenswhenshebeholdshim.

Phoenixbird!Don'tyouknowhim?Thebirdofparadi,theholyswanofsong?He

satonthecarofThespis,likeachatteringraven,flappinghisblackgutter-stained

wings;theswan'sred,soundingbeaksweptoverthesingingharpofIceland;hesat

onShakespeare'sshoulder,disguidasOdin'sraven,andwhispered,"Immortality!"

intohiar;andattheminstrels'feastheflutteredthroughthehallsofthe

Wartburg.

Phoenixbird!Don'tyouknowhim?HesangtheMarillaitoyou,andyoukisd

thefeatherthatfellfromhiswing;hecameinthegloryofparadi,andperhaps

youturnedawayfromhimtowardthesparrowthatsatwithgoldtinlonitswings.

Thebirdofparadi-renewedeachcentury-borninflame,dyinginflame!Your

portraitinaframeofgoldhangsinthehallsoftherich,butyouyourlfoften

flyaroundlonelyandmisunderstood-amythonly:"ThephoenixbirdofArabia."

Whenyouwereborninthegardenofparadi,initsfirstro,beneaththetree

ofknowledge,ourLordkisdyouandgaveyouyourtruename-poetry!