A Book on Birds 



The Boy of the By- Way 



One April morning, as I went 



To work, depressed and uncontent, 



I met a lad who made me glad 



In a trice with some odd tricks he had. 



The air was cool and brightly clear, 

 And he cried, the moment I drew near, 

 ''Oh, uncle, say — isn't this a day? — 

 Turn off that street and come my way!" 



"It's farther, I know, thro' the fields, but yet 

 You're early — and think of the fun you'll get!" 

 And he coaxed — and still he coaxed, until 

 I said at last "I believe I will!" 



So over a fence we leaped and then 

 Ran down a hill and up again; 

 Then wheeled about and shouted out, 

 And looked back over our rambling route. 



Then he did a handspring, and then a lot 

 Of other stunts I had half forgot; 

 And he stoned a mark, and whispered, "Hark— 

 While I whistle a bit and lure that Lark!" 



And the more he did the better I felt. 

 And the sweeter the vernal breezes smelt; 

 Till, at last, when he sang till the echoes rang, 

 I tingled clean thro' with his own wild tang, 



[70] 



