They plucked the blossoms from the blushing bush,

They quaffed the waters from the purling rill,

Their bread they scattered to the gentle thrush,

That seemed half-conscious of the coming ill;

The rabbit eyed them from his covert brush,

Their crumbs supplied the little sparrow’s bill;

And sadly then they sighed their last adieu,

“Our little friends, farewell! we sport no more with you.”

LXII.

Meantime the parents in the cottage sate,