Oh, could he do it? could he do it? Nay!

Be quick! be quick! Here, here, here!' (went his lay.)

'Take heed! take heed!' then 'Why? why? why? why? why?

See-ee now! see-ee now!' (he drawl'd) 'Back! back! back! R-r-r-run away!'

O Thrush, be still!

Or at thy will,

Seek some less sad interpreter than I.

'Air, air! blue air and white!

Whither I flee, whither, O whither, O whither I flee!'

(Thus the Lark hurried, mounting from the lea)

'Hills, countries, many waters glittering bright,

Whither I see, whither I see! deeper, deeper, deeper, whither I see, see, see!'

[30]

'Gay Lark,' I said,

'The song that's bred

In happy nest may well to heaven make flight.'

'There's something, something sad,

I half remember'—piped a broken strain.

Well sung, sweet Robin! Robin sung again.

'Spring's opening cheerily, cheerily! be we glad!'

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