The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] ... With a Copious Index. To which is prefixed Some Account of his Life. In Four Volumes |
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ODE TO A HEDGE-SPARROW,
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 | The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] |  |
ODE TO A HEDGE-SPARROW,
NURSING A YOUNG CUCKOO.
AH, whining, anxious, restless bird!
Thou art a fool, upon my word:
Now on the bush, and now upon the ground;
Now hov'ring o'er my head, and saying
Such bitter things—now begging, praying,
Poor wretch, surveying me so sharp all round
Imploring me to leave the nest,
Where all thy dearest wishes rest.
Thou art a fool, upon my word:
Now on the bush, and now upon the ground;
Now hov'ring o'er my head, and saying
Such bitter things—now begging, praying,
Poor wretch, surveying me so sharp all round
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Where all thy dearest wishes rest.
How busy thou in catching grub and fly,
As soon as dewy morning paints the sky;
Now twitt'ring near the nest such strains of joy,
Proclaiming to the world a hopeful boy!
As soon as dewy morning paints the sky;
Now twitt'ring near the nest such strains of joy,
Proclaiming to the world a hopeful boy!
Great is thy triumph in thy fancied child!
Immense thy pride—thy ecstasy how wild!
Yet not one trait of thee doth he display:
Indeed thou never didst beget the youth;
And more—to tell thee an unpleasant truth,
His father will be here the first of May.
Immense thy pride—thy ecstasy how wild!
Yet not one trait of thee doth he display:
Indeed thou never didst beget the youth;
And more—to tell thee an unpleasant truth,
His father will be here the first of May.
Nor singular art thou—for, lo!
A little gamesome knight we know,
Who fosters children—loves them to distraction;
Shows them about from morn to night,
Drinking such draughts of rich delight
From ev'ry feature—so much satisfaction!
A little gamesome knight we know,
Who fosters children—loves them to distraction;
Shows them about from morn to night,
Drinking such draughts of rich delight
From ev'ry feature—so much satisfaction!
Sees his own eyes, own mouth, own lip, own ear,
Own nose, own dimple, in each pretty dear!—
But who's the real parent?—Am'rous John,
Good-natur'd fellow, made them ev'ry one.
Own nose, own dimple, in each pretty dear!—
But who's the real parent?—Am'rous John,
Good-natur'd fellow, made them ev'ry one.
| The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] | |