THE FAIR IE FERN. l8l
"What are the bids for Eyrie stock?"
"What is the time by Clytie s clock?"
"What does the Carrier-Pigeon bring?"
" Columbia s eagle has hurt her wing ;"
" Poor Lark is dead ! left a helpless wife !"
" Insured ? Oh yes ! in the New York Life ; "
"So she will have only grief to bear,
Without the pressure of daily care."
"What tidings under the Seabird s wing?"
"A ship aground, like an idle thing;
Her cargo lost ! her crew afloat
On the open sea in a leaky boat."
"Where s Corvus gone? Ah ! don t you know
He was a most dishonest crow?
A corporation in black coats
Levied on grain- fields, paid in notes
Uncurrent, and all fled but he,
Who swings on yonder apple tree."
The while this noisy chat goes on, The Lady-birds have been since dawn Singing, to stretch their little throats, Brushing their glossy redingotes, Daintily lining rounded nests, Carefully brushing snowy vests, Chattering, oh, so loud and clear, I held my breath their tones to hear.
" Old Rusty Rook a book has written ;" " Ann Oriole gave Jay the mitten ;"
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