Richard Chenebix Trench

1807-1886 / Ireland

The Falcon

I.
High didst thou once in honour stand,
The falcon on a Prince's hand:

II.
Thine eye, unhooded and unsealed,
All depths of being pierced and scanned:

III.
All worlds of space, from end to end,
Thy never-wearied pinion spanned.

IV.
O falcon of the spiritual heaven--
Entangled in an earthly band,

V.
While all too eagerly thy prey
Pursuing in a lower land--

VI.
In hope abide;--thy Monarch yet
For thy release shall give command,

VII.
And bid thee to resume again
Thy place upon thy Monarch's hand.
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