The Caged Goldfinch

Within a churchyard, on a recent grave,
            I saw a little cage
That jailed a goldfinch. All was silence save
            Its hops from stage to stage.

There was inquiry in its wistful eye,
            And once it tried to sing;
Of him or her who placed it there, and why,
            No one knew anything.

True, a woman was found drowned the day ensuing,
            And some at times averred
The grave to be her false one's, who when wooing
            Gave her the bird.