Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/21

 "You'd better think,             Flippant Chewink,              'Tis the finest of sport," Sang Bobolink.

And said Bob, "Be true to me, be true to me;     Kick your slipper, kick your slipper;       Be true to me—old Nick's the whipper!"

And over the pond, on bending cat-tails, The red-shouldered Black-birds were piping their gales,

As they swung to and fro with a blithe "Con-quer-ee," And their mates made reply—"O'er-the-lea, come-to-me!"

From the Meadow-lark's throat came a livelier strain, "All hail to the bridegroom and those in his train;

"And greet the fair bride in her gay-feathered veil, She'll build a snug nest for the babies—all hail!"

From Oriole there, like a glad whistling boy, Came fragments of melody thrilling with joy:

"I sing as I work—             This vantage men shirk—              And music I blend        With care of the children and house that I tend."

Then on came the Finches in rollicking glee, With Grosbeak and Chippy and plaintive Pewee;

And every one's note rang as clear as a bell, With the swing of love's passion and deep growing spell.

"Per-chick-o-ree!             Now, don't you see              The song in me              Is ecstasy?"

Thus jingled the Goldfinch in musical run, As he dipped up and down in the waves of the sun;

Like golden-robed, sable winged fairy he flew Across his wide world of cerulean blue.

WHITE THROATED SPARROWS Photo by the Author.