The most beautiful birds live where the climate is warm,
Where breezes blow that can do them no harm;
The bird of paradise, most beautiful of all,
In the month of May entertains with a ball,
To show off their plumage, they dance high up in the trees.
Early in the mornings, when all is at peace.
It’s the male bird that’s bedecked with plumage fine,
How they love to display and sit in the sunshine;
They are the size of a hawk, with head and neck
Like golden velvet all bedecked;
And the sprays of orange colored feathers long
Sometimes two feet, but not very strong;
On each side of the body, under their wings,
These masses of golden plumage springs.
The female is not as fortunate as he,
A throat of green and wings of brown has she,
So glossy and soft, full of pride and dignity,
How gracefully they dance, it’s wonderful to see;
And never suspect that the enemy might be near,
To rob them of life—which they, too, hold dear.
Now would you have naughty hunters to kill
These beautiful birds, your vanity to fill,
To wear on your hat, or to wear in your hair;
Would you be guilty of these happy lives to dispair?
I’m sure you would not, if you really knew,
Yet this little story, believe me, is true.
My Faithful Shoes.
My good old shoes, it’s time that we part,
Although it will nigh break my heart;
You have offended me so, just the other day,
A new home you must find—shall I throw you away?
’Twas a short time ago, a friend came to call,
I was out on the lawn, with the children playing ball;
I begged her excuse me, just one little minute,
She said, please don’t dress, fifteen minutes is my limit.
I was so humiliated, how much I cannot say,
For I had decided this should be your last day;
With a knife I had split you on either side,
When I went to the door, my feet I would hide.
True, you are full of comfort, we’ve been such good friends,
Even if the heels are down at both ends;
She stayed and she stayed, I didn’t know quite what she said;
For you, old shoes, kept running around in my head.
Finally she bade me adieu; I went to the back door,
I flung you away, I don’t want you more;
How untidy I looked; I was ready to drop;
I’ll put on the new ones, I bought in the shop.