For every Bird a Nest — A Wren's Nest by William Wordsworth

For every Bird a Nest－¹
Wherefore in timid quest
Some little Wren goes seeking round－

Wherefore when boughs are free－⁴
Households in every tree－
Pilgrim be found?

Perhaps a home too high－⁷
Ah Aristocracy!
The little Wren desires－

Perhaps of twig so fine－¹⁰
Of twine e'en superfine,
Her pride aspires－

The Lark is not ashamed ¹³
To build upon the ground
Her modest house－

Yet who of all the throng ¹⁶
Dancing around the sun
Does so rejoice?

(F.86/J.143)

[1–18]:: This poem is about A Wren's Nest by William Wordsworth. A wren seeks to build a nest "fairer than the rest."
[13, 14] Lark, build, ground:: larks usually build their nests on the ground.
[18] rejoice:: a hint on the lark, a frolicsome adventure (OED lark n.2 1).
[16–18] The lark owns a low nest, but does rejoice so.

A Wren's Nest

AMONG the dwellings framed by birds
In field or forest with nice care,
Is none that with the little Wren's
In snugness may compare.
. . .
And when for their abodes they seek
An opportune recess,
The hermit has no finer eye
For shadowy quietness.
. . .
But still, where general choice is good,
There is a better and a best;
And, among fairest objects, some
Are fairer than the rest; ─ The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth (1841)