Volume I Part 44 (1/2)

Then followed him the Lark, For he could sweetly sing, And he was to be clerk At c.o.c.k Robin's wedding.

He sang of Robin's love For little Jenny Wren; And when he came unto the end, Then he began again.

Then came the bride and bridegroom; Quite plainly was she dressed, And blushed so much, her cheeks were As red as Robin's breast.

But Robin cheered her up; ”My pretty Jen,” said he, ”We're going to be married And happy we shall be.”

The Goldfinch came on next, To give away the bride; The Linnet, being bride's maid, Walked by Jenny's side; And, as she was a-walking, She said, ”Upon my word, I think that your c.o.c.k Robin Is a very pretty bird.”

The Bulfinch walked by Robin, And thus to him did say, ”Pray, mark, friend Robin Redbreast, That Goldfinch, dressed so gay; What though her gay apparel Becomes her very well, Yet Jenny's modest dress and look Must bear away the bell.”

The Blackbird and the Thrush, And charming Nightingale, Whose sweet jug sweetly echoes Through every grove and dale; The Sparrow and Tom t.i.t, And many more, were there: All came to see the wedding Of Jenny Wren, the fair.

”O then,” says Parson Rook, ”Who gives this maid away?”

”I do,” says the Goldfinch, ”And her fortune I will pay: Here's a bag of grain of many sorts, And other things beside; Now happy be the bridegroom, And happy be the bride!”

”And will you have her, Robin, To be your wedded wife?”

”Yes, I will,” says Robin, ”And love her all my life.”

”And will you have him, Jenny, Your husband now to be?”

”Yes, I will,” says Jenny, ”And love him heartily.”

Then on her finger fair c.o.c.k Robin put the ring; ”You're married now,” says Parson Rook, While the Lark aloud did sing: ”Happy be the bridegroom, And happy be the bride!

And may not man, nor bird, nor beast, This happy pair divide.”

The birds were asked to dine; Not Jenny's friends alone, But every pretty songster That had c.o.c.k Robin known.

They had a cherry pie, Beside some currant wine, And every guest brought something, That sumptuous they might dine.

Now they all sat or stood To eat and to drink; And every one said what He happened to think: They each took a b.u.mper, And drank to the pair: c.o.c.k Robin, the bridegroom, And Jenny Wren, 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 could sing for Robin And Jenny Wren, the bride.

Then in came the Cuckoo and made a great rout; He caught hold of Jenny and pulled her about.

c.o.c.k Robin was angry, and so was the Sparrow, Who fetched 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 missed, but c.o.c.k Robin killed!-- And all the birds mourned that his blood was so spilled.

Unknown

THE BABES IN THE WOOD

Now ponder well, you parents dear, These words, which I shall write; A doleful story you shall hear, In time brought forth to light.

A gentleman of good account In Norfolk dwelt of late, Who did in honor far surmount Most men of his estate.

Sore sick was he, and like to die, No help his life could save; His wife by him as sick did lie, And both possessed one grave.

No love between these two was lost, Each was to other kind; In love they lived, in loved they died, And left two babes behind: