Nature
Birds on a Bough
Translated by George Sigerson (1907) · From Bards of the Gael and Gall (1907)
How pleasant for the small birds
To waken in the grove,
And, close upon the same bough,
To whisper to their love.
Not thus, alas, our fortune —
My very heart's delight!
'Tis far apart each morning
We waken to the light.
She's fairer than the lily,
Such beauty there is none:
She's sweeter than the violin,
More lightsome than the sun;
But better than all beauty
Her noble heart and free, —
O God, who art in heaven,
Remove this pain from me!
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Irish Gaelic, later). “Birds on a Bough.” Translated by George Sigerson. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-irish-gaelic/126/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Irish Gaelic, later). “Birds on a Bough.” Translated by George Sigerson. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-irish-gaelic/126/.
Read this poem with the Codex →