262 NEST IN CAVITY OF A MAST. 



Long time a breeding-place they sought, 

 Till both grew vex'd and tir'd ; 



At length a ship arriving, brought 

 The good so long desir'd. 



A ship ! — Could such a restless thing 

 Afford them place to rest 1 



Or was the merchant charg'd to bring 

 The homeless birds a nest 1 



Hush ! silent hearers profit most ! 



This racer of the sea 

 Prov'd kinder to them than the coast, 



It serv'd them with a tree. 



But such a tree ! 'twas shaven deal — 

 The tree they call a mast; 



And had a hollow with a wheel. 

 Through which the tackle pass'd. 



Within that cavity aloft, 



Their roofless home they fixt ; 



Form'd with materials neat and soft. 

 Bents, wool, and feathers mixt. 



Four iv'ry eggs soon pave the floor. 

 With russet speck bedight ; 



The vessel weighs — forsakes the shore. 

 And lessens to the sight. 



The mother bird is gone to sea, 

 As she had chang'd her kind ; 



But goes the mate ? — Far wiser, he 

 Is doubtless left behind. 



