Classic Poem

A S flying thro' the woods in wanton play,
Or hopping on each tree, from spray to spray,
A blithsome Sparrow spring's sweet hours enjoy'd,
Nor fears nor cares his little breast annoy'd,
He viewed the tow'ring lark that soar'd on high,
And loudly sang as flutt'ring tow'rd the sky;
With many a bird of vary'd plumage bright,
That warbling bask'd above in purer light.
Hence rose a wish the envy'd lot to share,
As free to him as them the fields of air,
He quits the wood in feather'd pride elate,
Resolv'd the sky-lark's slight to emulate.
Eager he rose, and left the groves behind,
To future sate (O silly creature!) blind;
And long in course successful had he soar'd,
While vanity could fancy'd bliss afford.
But mark! far higher still was seen to rise
A Hawk, the dreaded tyrant of the skies.
The Sparrow mark'd him circling as he flew,
And, prudent, timely on the wing withdrew,
Ere yet within the fatal sphere ensnar'd,
The victim of a foe that never spar'd,
Hasty he sled. Accustom'd to pursue,
The hawk, swift following, kept his prey in view;
'Till to a spacious square he made resort,
Where Athens' Judges held their solemn court,
And, by the enemy so closely prest,
Took shelter gladly in a sage's breast;
But he, relentless, from his vestment drew
The trembling fugitive, and, barb'rous, slew,
So perish'd he whom vanity ensnar'd;
Yet cruelty receiv'd its due reward:
Athens dismiss'd him from his high estate,
Who gave to Innocence the Guilty 's fate.