358 Bird -Lore 



From the children of men, T l)ring tidings today, 



Harken now, to me, I pray, 



'Tis a message of love and 



A promise true — 



They will harm us no more 



And protect us, too. 



So rejoice and be gay. 



Throw all anger away. 



Come, come, come, let us dwell now 



In peace alway. 



Peace, peace, peace to the birds of the forest here, 



Peace, peace, peace to the human kind far and near. 



And may the dark clouds of war hanging low. 



Vanish soon, forever away. 



List, list, list to the message of peace I bear. 



Let all hearts join together in this my prayer, 



O, come. Spirit of love 



Down from the Father of Love 



Bring peace, peace to the heart 



Of the world today. 



Eagle. — Who is it that talks of peace now? We have come to talk of war — war 

 against our enemy, man. 



Dove (addressing throne). — 'Tis I, Your Majesty, the Dove of Peace. I have come 

 with a message from the children of men, bearing in my hand the olive branch of 

 peace. I have come to tell you that they are no longer enemies, but our friends. A 

 new spirit has been born into the hearts of men. A spirit of love and kindness to all 

 living things, such as has never been known before. They offer us now their friend- 

 ship. Shall we not accept? 



Eagle. — Friendship! Friendship, indeed! Behold, here (pointing to Bobbie), a 

 human, caught this very day in the act of killing the birds in the most heartless manner. 



Bobbie. — Oh, please, Mr. Eagle, I never will again! You see I didn't know you 

 were so much like humans; I didn't, honor bright! I never thought about it. But now 

 I wouldn't kill a bird for anything. Sure, I wouldn't. 



Dove. — You see, Bobbie did not know, that was all. He was just a little behind 

 the times. He had not heard about the great peace movement between man and the 

 birds. For man is waking up. He is learning more about us every day. They are taking 

 notes, these humans, studying about us in their schools and colleges, passing laws, and 

 forming great societies for our protection. Sanctuaries are being set apart where we 

 can live in peace and security, without fear of dogs and cats, or the wild creatures of 

 the woods. And beautiful bird-houses are being built, and fountains provided, and food 

 put out for our own particular use. Tell me birds, is it not so? 



Robin. — Yes, yes ! That is so. Where I live, the people are very kind. They throw 

 out whole basketfuls of crumbs every day. And they hang up lovely big chunks of suet 

 all winter, so we can have plenty to eat. 



Martin. — And they have built the finest bird-houses at our place, regular apart- 

 ment houses, lots of rooms, with all the modern improvements. 



Thrush. — And they have planted all kinds of berries we like at our place, and 

 talk to us real friendly, as if they liked us. 



Bobbie. — Of course they do! And so do I, now I know you. And when I go back, 

 I'm going to be your friend. I'm going to join that Bird Club, and get all the boys I can 

 to join. And I'll never kill another bird, never, never any more. 



