Lines quoted by the composer on the flyleaf of the score from George Meredith's poem of the same title, which inspired the work:
He rises and begins to round, He drops the silver chain of sound, Of many links without a break, In chirrup, whistle, slur and shake.
For singing till his heaven fills, Tis love of earth that he instils, And ever winging up and up, Our valley is his golden cup And he the wine which overflows To lift us with him as he goes.
Till lost on his aerial rings In light, and then the fancy sings.