Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/187

 THE FAIR IE FERN. l8l

&quot;What are the bids for Eyrie stock?&quot;

&quot;What is the time by Clytie s clock?&quot;

&quot;What does the Carrier-Pigeon bring?&quot;

&quot; Columbia s eagle has hurt her wing ;&quot;

&quot; Poor Lark is dead ! left a helpless wife !&quot;

&quot; Insured ? Oh yes ! in the New York Life ; &quot;

&quot;So she will have only grief to bear,

Without the pressure of daily care.&quot;

&quot;What tidings under the Seabird s wing?&quot;

&quot;A ship aground, like an idle thing;

Her cargo lost ! her crew afloat

On the open sea in a leaky boat.&quot;

&quot;Where s Corvus gone? Ah ! don t you know

He was a most dishonest crow?

A corporation in black coats

Levied on grain- fields, paid in notes

Uncurrent, and all fled but he,

Who swings on yonder apple tree.&quot;

The while this noisy chat goes on, The Lady-birds have been since dawn Singing, to stretch their little throats, Brushing their glossy redingotes, Daintily lining rounded nests, Carefully brushing snowy vests, Chattering, oh, so loud and clear, I held my breath their tones to hear.

&quot; Old Rusty Rook a book has written ;&quot; &quot; Ann Oriole gave Jay the mitten ;&quot;

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