Page:The Forest Sanctuary.pdf/115

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LAYS OF MANY LANDS.
109



THE BIRD'S RELEASE.


The Indians of Bengal and of the Coast of Malabar bring cages filled with birds to the graves of their friends, over which they set the birds at liberty. This custom is alluded to in the description of Virginia's funeral.
See Paul and Virginia.


      Go forth, for she is gone!
With the golden light of her wavy hair,
She is gone to the fields of the viewless air;
      She hath left her dwelling lone!

      Her voice hath pass'd away!
It hath pass'd away like a summer breeze,
When it leaves the hills for the far blue seas,
      Where we may not trace its way.

      Go forth, and like her be free!
With thy radiant wing, and thy glancing eye,
Thou hast all the range of the sunny sky,
      And what is our grief to thee?

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