The Nursery, April 1873, Vol. XIII

And learning for you a new song,
My sweet,—
Learning for you a new song."

"Why did you go, little birdie,—
Why did you go from me?"

"Winter was here,
Leafless and drear;
And so I flew over the sea,
My sweet,—
So I flew over the sea."

"What did you see, little birdie,—
What did you see each day?"

"Sunshine and flowers,
Blossoms and bowers,
And pretty white lambkins at play,
My sweet,—
Pretty white lambkins at play."

"Who kept you safe, little birdie,—
Who kept you safe from harm?"

"The Father of all,
Of great and of small:
He sheltered me under his arm,
My sweet,—
Under his dear, loving arm."

    George Cooper.

THE DUCKS AND GEESE

Now the snows are melting, going,
Now the little streams are flowing;
Buds are swelling, birds are singing,
Odors sweet the wind is bringing;
Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack!
Good soft mud and running water,
Now waddlers shall not lack.

Little girls and boys are straying,
Or in sunny meadows playing,
Seeking buttercups and clover,
While their hearts with joy run over;
But—what goose can't see it plainly?—
Spring for us is given mainly.
Quack, quack, &c.