“A group of children trotting[1243] off to school,

While two[1244] amongst the rest, a boy and girl,

Go hand in hand, and prattle as they go,

Then fondly kiss and part, till, school-time o’er,

They meet and kiss again, and hand in hand

Return to home,[1245] recounting all they’ve learnt.

Anon they paddle in the rippling brook,[1246]

Their merry voices striving to out-do

The babble of the water ’neath their feet;

Or, roaming in the fields,[1247] they mimic birds[1248]