THE ORIOLE'S NEST.
Swing, little hammock, swing high and swing low!
Birdies are sleeping while soft breezes blow;
Papa-bird fastened it well on the bough,
No harm can come to the baby-birds now.
Mother-bird comes with sweet food to the nest.
All the bright feathers aflame on her breast;
Swing, little birdies, be happy to-day,
Soon, I suppose, you will all fly away.
Rock, little hammock, the birdies to sleep,
Then I'll give Dolly a sly little peep;
She will not touch them, the dear little things,
With down on their heads and down on their wings.
Very soon, Dolly, their feathers will grow,
And out of their cradle the birdies will go;
High away, low away, out of our sight,
Off to the wood in a family flight!