Singing Birds

Merle! cushat! mavis! when but young'
More vulgar names from mother tongue
Often and often, much I fear,
Have wounded your too patient ear.
Before our dame, old Poesie,
Took me and held me on her knee,
" Woodpigeon dear! " I may have said,
Hearing you coo above my head,
And ' ' Speckled thrush! let that poor worm
Creep safely thro' the rain and storm.
Blackbird! unless it tires you, stay
And sing me one more song to-day A
Ye listened then; and each one did
(Except the thrush) as he was bid.
I doubt if now ye sing so well
In your line names; but who can tell?