The Titmouse

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  If you would happy company win,
  Dangle a palm-nut from a tree,
  Idly in green to sway and spin,
  Its snow-pulped kernel for bait; and see,
  A nimble titmouse enter in.

  Out of earth's vast unknown of air,
  Out of all summer, from wave to wave,
  He'll perch, and prank his feathers fair,
  Jangle a glass-clear wildering stave,
  And take his commons there —

  This tiny son of life; this spright,
  By momentary Human sought,
  Plume will his wing in the dappling light,
  Clash timbrel shrill and gay —
  And into time's enormous nought,
  Sweet-fed, will flit away.

© Walter de la Mare