THE JAY AND I—A DIALOGUE
“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!”
“But listen, Jay, just stop a spell—
On Friday, luckless day, they tell,
That you will dare to visit hell;
’Tis only Friday,
But always Friday—
If there you stray.
Then why I pray?”
“It’s not your business, know you well,
Why I on Friday go to hell.[10]
Dja-ay! dja-ay!”
“My final word you may forestall;
But I tell you plainly pride must fall;
Old Pride is evil, born of the devil.”
While flouncing so free
In a white oak tree,
Quite noisily,
He answered me,
With piercing eye, and look of evil:
“Hoo-ray! hoo-ray!
I’m a blooming Jay—
The devil, you say?
It’s all my way—
Dja-ay! dja-ay! dja-ay!”