Answer to a child's question

• Do you ask what the birds say? The Sparrow, the Dove,
• The Linnet and Thrush say, “I love and I love!”
• In the winter they're silent—the wind is so strong;
• What it says, I don't know, but it sings a loud song.
• But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather,
• And singing, and loving-all come back together.
• But the Lark is so brimful of gladness and love,
• The green fields below him, the blue sky above,
• That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he—
• “I love my Love, and my Love loves me!”