Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/46



"What's that you say, you funny Jay?               I like your beauty, but not your way,                Though fond of all the winged tribe.                        Is it hoo-ray,                        Or some hey-day?" Then Jay began his varied gibe:

"I'm a Blue Jay;                     That's what I say;                      Dja-ay! dja-ay! dja-ay!" (How will he myself describe,               With naught from me that he'll imbibe?)

"I've more display,                     More in my yea,                      More in my nay,                      Than you convey;                      Dja-ay! dja-ay!" "'Tis true, Blue Jay, but too much pride; You shout and rouse the country side;

Nor can I see The fun or glee, For birds or me       In your vanity. Whoever is it such can bide? You dashing Jay, you want my hide?"

"Never a day;       I'm a Blue-ming Jay        With top-knot gay,        And mine to stay—        Dja-ay! dja-ay!"

"More pomp you have than all your fellows;     All who see you,      All who hear you—      'I'm the Jay Blue      With a top-knot too—' All wonder why you strain your bellows."

"Hoo-ray! hoo-ray!—back to the wall! When I'm stirred up, I always squall,     Retreat, I say,      You bunch of clay,      Away; away! I'm King Blue Jay, A monarch here and lord of all; Dja-ay! dja-ay! dja-ay!"