And there lay the feathers, all torn.

And flying one way and another,

That still her dear child might have worn,

Had she been more wise as a mother.

Her owner then thought he must teach

Dame Biddy a little subjection;

And cooped her up, out of the reach

Of hawking, with time for reflection.

And, throwing a net o'er a pile

Of brush-wood that near her was lying,