| CHILD |
| I wish I were a little bird |
| When the sun shines |
| And the wind whispers low, |
| Through the tall pines, |
| I'd rock in the elm tops, |
| Rifle the pear-tree, |
| Hide in the cherry boughs, |
O such a rare tree! |
| I wish I were a little bird; |
| All summer long |
| I'd fly so merrily |
| Sing such a song! |
| Song that should never cease |
| While daylight lasted, |
| Wings that should never tire |
| Howe'er they hasted. |
MOTHER |
| But if you were a little bird— |
| My baby-blossom. |
| Nestling so cosily |
| In mother's bosom,— |
| A bird, as we see them now, |
| When the snows harden, |
| And the wind's blighting breath |
| Howls round the garden: |
What would you do, poor bird, |
| In winter drear? |
| No nest to creep into, |
| No mother near: |
| Hungry and desolate, |
| Weary and woeful, |
| All the earth bound with frost, |
| All the sky snow-full? |
CHILD (thoughtfully). |
| That would be sad, and yet |
| Hear what I'd do— |
| Mother, in winter time |
| I'd come to you! |
| If you can like the birds |
| Spite of their thieving, |
| Give them your trees to build, |
| Garden to live in, |
I think if I were a bird |
| When winter comes |
| I'd trust you, mother dear, |
| For a few crumbs, |
| Whether I sang or not, |
| Were lark, thrush, or starling.— |
MOTHER (aside). |
| Then—Father—I trust Thee |
| With this my darling. |