22 The Talel?scarvrs. 



The Talebearers. 



When I \v;i'- Vduiig the wduIiI-Ijc wit. 

 Would quote the story of 'I'cll Talc Tit. 

 And as I get older, " where'er I loaiii, " 

 'I'lie birds stdl tell me stories ot home. 



'I'iiis Swallow ill Egypt (I li ivi- no proof. 



P.ul 1 think lie has built in the ea\-es ot our roof;. 



When I meet liim from J^lngland winging his way, 



" J hi- Summer is over," I hear him say, 



" The Virginia erceper is turning red, 



Th(^ roses are done in your own rose bed." 



\\ hen you get to the East and leave >ojr iioat, 

 A thought ot home brings a lumj) to your throat; 

 A little cock Sparrow so cheeky and brown. 



So like \\\i cousins in London Town, 

 Who. takes your thoughts on Fancy's wing.-s 

 Straight home to English birds and things. 



Returning in Springtime chill and cold, 



W'e are followed by messengers small and bold. 



They pay no passage and give no tips 



As they journey a day or two on our ships. 



And no one would ask them for anything 



But the cheering message they bring of Spring. 



They rest on our boat with no thought of fear. 



And the message they bring is " Summer is near." 



" Cheer up, you passengers chilly and sad, 

 The English summer will make you glad. 

 So swiftly now on our way we wing 



Back to England, to greet the Spring." 

 And we, too, must often move and go. 

 From East to W'est, we are to and fro ; 

 Our wandering spirit has made our fate ; 

 We too, like the birtls, must cift migr.ite. 



Tilt Indian birds come down to ("eylon 



And bring us word the cold weather has gone. 



Saying : " Your damper heat is better to bear 



Than the blazing, stifling heat up there." 



And when to India back they go. 



They've got another tile you know. 



It's not the place to build your nests, 



With mildew and damj) and other pests ; 



And India in dry and warm springiimc 



Is really a nesting place divine." 



