Towards him, then she turns away

Her small head, making warm display

Of red upon the throat. His terrors sway

Her out of the nest’s warm, busy ball, [p. vi]

Whose plaintive cry is heard as she flies

In one blue stoop from out the sties

Into the evening’s empty hall.

Oh, water-hen, beside the rushes

Hide your quaint, unfading blushes,

Still your quick tail, and lie as dead,