Of any man receives,
Till Robin Redbreast piously
Did cover them with leaves."
Herrick also alludes to the same tradition in his verses "upon Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler, under the name of Amarillis." (Works, vol i. pp. 62-3.: Edin. 1823)
"Sweet Amarillis, by a spring's
Soft and soule-melting murmurings,
Slept; and thus sleeping, thither flew,
A Robin Redbreast; who at view,
Not seeing her at all to stir,
Brought leaves and moss to cover her;