A Safe Estate

 

If I hear Robin sing in mirth,

I for no company shall pine;

Millions of souls, indeed! On earth-

I know two only, his and mine.

I like Red Robin, he doth draw

More close than many of my kin;

The last face yestere'en I saw,

His first this morn came peeping in;

For him my curtain is half drawn,

To follow on the look of morn.

 

He who loves Nature truly, hath

His wealth in her kind hands; and it

Is in safe trust until his death,

Increasing as he uses it;

' Tis proof' gainst water, thief, and flame;

He'll not lay wild hands on his life,

As one who, in his health and prime,

Lets out his blood with a sharp knife,

When of ten ships but nine returned,

Or out of houses ten one burned.