|
Taak any bryd, and put it in a cage, |
| And do al thyn entente and thy corage |
| 165 | To fostre it tendrely with mete and drynke, |
| Of alle deyntees that thou kanst bithynke; |
| And keepe it al so clenly as thou may, |
| Although his cage of gold be nevere so gay, |
| Yet hath this bryd, by twenty thousand foold, |
| 170 | Levere in a forest that is rude and coold |
| Goon ete wormes, and swich wrecchednesse; |
| For evere this bryd wol doon his bisynesse |
| To escape out of his cage, whan he may. |
| His libertee this brid desireth ay. |
|
|
Take any bird and put it in a cage |
| And do your best affection to engage |
| 165 | And feed it tenderly with food and drink |
| Of all the dainties that you can bethink, |
| And always keep it cleanly as you may; |
| Although its cage of gold be never so gay, |
| Yet would this bird, by twenty thousand-fold, |
| 170 | Rather, within a forest dark and cold, |
| Go to eat worms and all such wretchedness. |
| For ever this bird will do his business |
| To find some way to get outside the wires. |
| Above all things his freedom he desires. |
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