The Lark Ascending He rises and spreads his wings, All nature lifts its breath and hears The lark, that lingers and sings, Above the common way of fears. \nWith such a song, such sounds of hearts, Fly thou upward, little bird, No more encumber’d by thy part. Up, fly, but do not heed a word. \nBut nature is a thing of pain, And every heart must too go higher; With thoughts like his, no song remain, But I, still free, am but the flyer.

• George Meredith