from _THE_TASK_ William Cowper c. 1785 ========================== Nature inanimate employs sweet sounds, But animated Nature sweeter still, To soothe and satisfy the human ear. Ten thousand warblers cheer the day, and one The live-long night: nor these alone, whose notes Nice finger'd art must emulate in vain, But cawing rooks, and kites that swim sublime In still repeated circles, screaming loud, The jay, the pie, and ev'n the boding owl That hails the rising moon, have charms for me. (1.197-206) ======== ========