My first was dreary, cold, and dark
As I left my second's door,.
The sky showed not one diamond spark,
And I heard no sound but the watch-dog's bank
As l wandered the wild heath o'er.
In a lonely spot I chanced to be
When my third came fiercely on ;
He tore my cloak and hat from me,
And drove me under an old dead tree,
And left me there alone.
Then swiftly the dark clouds passed away,
And the silver moon did fling
On my path once more her gentle ray,
And my whole began from the greenwood spray
Her blithsome caroling.
*** Originally appeared in "The Casket" on December 1829,
Answer: nightingale.
First = night -> dreary, cold, and dark
Second = in -> "As I left" = going outside
Third = gale -> which "tore my cloak and hat from me"
Whole = nightingale, a songbird, with "Her blithesome caroling"
Solution (spoiler-ish)
