Split the Lark and you'll find the Music — Serinette

Dickinson did not kill the lark to find the music, too evil even for a thought, but somehow she tried to mislead us.

Split the Lark－and you'll find the Music－¹
Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled－
Scantilly dealt to the Summer Morning
Saved for your Ear when Lutes be old.

Loose the Flood－you shall find it patent－⁵
Gush after Gush, reserved for you－
Scarlet Experiment! Sceptic Thomas!
Now, do you doubt that your Bird was true?

(F.905/J.861)

[1] Lark: a musical box, serinette, or bird-organ, a small organ used in teaching birds to sing.
[2] Bulb after Bulb: cogs that compose a tune.
[3,4] Scantilly, old: serinette was new and rare at that time.
[5] flood: overwhelming sound. patent: an invention.
[6] Gush after Gush: endless music from the machine.
[7] Scarlet Experiment: by breaking the box, not killing the lark.
[8] Bird: a hint on bird-organ.

This completes the machine, with the exception of a cylinder similar to those used in a common hand-organ or music box, containing cogs, which, when properly arranged, will, if turned by hand or otherwise, operate upon the valves in such a manner as to play any tune desired, by simply changing the position of the cogs, which are arranged so as to be movable.——The National Magazine, Volume 7 (1855)

The cylinder or barrel organs, used by the itinerant musicians, and the serinette, (or bird organ,) are constructed upon the same principles as the great organ. A cylinder, pricked with brass points or pins, stands in the place of an organist, and moves the keys. The art of pricking or noting these cylinders is called tonotechny.——Music Explained to the World (1842)

Another, on this bridge, played a serinette, and, when he went home for meals, would leave, not only his instrument, but his money-box. This act of confidence in the honesty, as well as the generosity, of the Paris public is not without its reward, as we have often seen sous dropped into the slit during his absence.——Realities of Paris Life (1859)