The Bird Let Loose

The bird let loose in eastern skies,
   When hastening fondly home,
Ne'er stoops to earth her wing, nor flies
   Where idle warblers roam;
But high she shoots through air and
       light,
   Above all low delay,
Where nothing earthly bounds her
       flight,
   Nor shadow dims her way.

So grant me, God, from every care
   And stain of passion free,
Aloft, through Virtue's purer air,
   To hold my course to Thee!
No sin to cloud, no lure to stay
   My soul, as home she springs;--
Thy sunshine on her joyful way,
   Thy freedom in her wings!

        ~ Thomas Moore