Leave, leave your well-loved nest,

Late swallow, and fly away.

Here is no rest

For hollowing heart and wearying wing.

Your comrades all have flown

To seek their southern paradise

Across the great earth’s downward sloping side,

And you are alone.

Why should you cling

Still to the swiftly ageing narrowing day?

Prepare;

Shake your pinions long untried

That now must bear you there where you would be

Through all the heavens of ice;

Till falling down the homing air

You light and perch upon the radiant tree.