TO THE CHILDREN 
GREETING! 
Ou, sweet is the whitethroat’s lay, 
As the banners of dawn unfold! 
The lovable, quarrelsome wrens all day 
Peep and prattle and scold: 
Skulks a blue jay hiding his grain ; 
Blinks an owl with the crows in train — 
Courtship merry and combat vain 
The eyes of the wise behold. 
* * * * * * 
And Nature spreads wide her book, 
In a temple fair and free, — 
To all who may listen she cries, “‘ Come, look! 
Come and learn at my knee. 
Watch the change of the finch’s vest, 
Note how the highhole carves his nest, — 
Come with light foot and loving breast, 
And bury your ills with me!” 
— Dora READ GOODALE. 
