The Birds begun at Four o'clock —

The Birds begun at Four o'clock —
Their period for Dawn —
A Music numerous as space —
But neighboring as Noon —

I could not count their Force —
Their numbers did expend
As Brook by Brook bestows itself
To multiply the Pond.

The Listener — was not —
Except Occasional Man —
In homely industry arrayed —
To overtake the Morn —

Nor was it for applause —
That I could ascertain —
But independent Extasy
Of Universe, and Men —

By Six, the Flood had done —
No tumult there had been
Of Dressing, or Departure —
Yet all the Band — was gone —

The Sun engrossed the East —
The Day Resumed the World —
The Miracle that introduced
Forgotten, as fulfilled.