The Birds Of Bethlehem

i heard the beüs of Bethlehem ring. Their voice was sweeter than ti priests'. I heard the birds of Bethlehem sing Unbidden in the churchly feasts. They clung and sung on the swinging chaln High in the dim and incer.eed air. The priests, with repetitions vain, Chanted a never ending prayer. So bell and bird and priest I heard, But voice of bird was most to me. It had no ritual, no word, And yet it sounded true and free. I thought child Jesús, were he there, Would h..e the singing birds the best And clutch nis little hands In air And smile unon bis mnthpr'K hrprtst