Feathers, and moss, and a wisp of hay,

Warm the white eggs till I learn his doom.”

She beateth her wings, and away, away.

“Ah, my sweet singer, thy days are told,

(Feathers, and moss, and a wisp of hay,)

O mournful morrow! O dark to-day!”

The finch flew back to her cold, cold nest,

Feathers, and moss, and a wisp of hay.

Mine is the trouble that rent her breast,