CUCKOO IN THE PEAR-TREE
THE Cuckoo sat in the old pear-tree.
Cuckoo!
Raining or snowing, nought cared he.
Cuckoo!
Cuckoo, cuckoo, nought cared he.
The Cuckoo flew over a housetop nigh.
Cuckoo!
“Dear, are you at home, for here am I?
Cuckoo!
Cuckoo, cuckoo, here am I.”
“I dare not open the door to you.
Cuckoo!
Perhaps you are not the right cuckoo?
Cuckoo!
Cuckoo, cuckoo, the right Cuckoo!”
“I am the right Cuckoo, the proper one.
Cuckoo!
For I am my father’s only son,
Cuckoo!
Cuckoo, cuckoo, his only son.”
“If you are your father’s only son—
Cuckoo!
The bobbin pull tightly,
Come through the door lightly—
Cuckoo!
If you are your father’s only son—
Cuckoo!
It must be you, the only one—
Cuckoo, cuckoo, my own Cuckoo!
Cuckoo!”
MADCAP
SWIFT, lithe, plastical;
High-fantastical
In feats gymnastical;
Enthusiastical;
She is a glorious
Romp; victorious;
Is uproarious
Too censorious?
She is a mighty,
Elfy, spritey,
Highty-tighty
Ma’mselle Flighty.
THE gayest wench, if
Her mood’s extensive;
But full of sense, if
Her mood is pensive.
What resolution
In execution!
“O mum,” says Susan,
“She is a Rooshian!”
But when she’s graver
No girl is braver
In her behaviour,
As I’m a shaver!
Bid Mystery pack again!
With sudden tack again,
My Romp is back again,
Madcap, clack again!
When I am priming
Myself for rhyming
Of Jove or Hymen,
That girl is climbing,
Athletic, able,
The chairs, the table,
An admirable
Gymnastic Babel!
It makes me shiver
In lungs and liver,
To look! However,
Three cheers I give her.