They each took a bumper, and drank to the pair,
Cock Robin the Bridegroom, and Jenny the fair.
The dinner-things removed, they all began to sing;
And soon they made the place near a mile round to ring.
The concert it was fine; and every bird tried
Who best should sing for Robin, and Jenny Wren the Bride.
When, in came the Cuckoo, and made a great rout;
He caught hold of Jenny, and pull’d her about.
Cock Robin was angry, and so was the Sparrow,
Who fetch’d in a hurry his bow and his arrow.
His aim then he took, but he took it not right;
His skill was not good, or he shot in a fright;—
For the Cuckoo he miss’d,—but Cock Robin he kill’d!
And all the birds mourn’d that his blood was so spill’d.