“I snatched a few feathers, in memory of you;
I desired a whole wing, but you baffled my plan;
Oh, what a memento to hang in my den!
And in very hot weather to use as a fan.
“Descend, O, thou beautiful creature, to earth!
There’s nothing I would not perform for your sake;
If once in awhile I could see you down here,
I’d never get tired of the shores of this lake!”
“Cheer up, Mr. Fox,” said the duck, flying higher,
“The parting of such friends is sometimes a boon;
When they get far away, and have time to reflect,
They see that it came not a moment too soon.
“You wanted a wild wing to fan yourself with;
You see if I granted that favor to you,
’Twould have left me but one, which is hardly enough,
As I find it convenient, just now, to have two.”
Then she faded away, a dark speck on the sky.
“That’s a very shrewd bird,” said the fox in dismay!
“I shall have to look round for my dinner, again,
And I fancy it will not be wild duck to-day.”
EARTHEN VESSELS.
Spring time had come, with its blossoms and birds; and Mrs. Rossiter threw up the sash of the east window, and pushed open the blinds, and drew a long deep breath of morning air, and morning sunshine.
“I think, Bridget,” she said, “that we might venture to bring the house-plants out-doors to-day. There can hardly be another frost, this year.”