Mistress Cuckoo 
gruity, we may address this shy and tender 
ornament as Mistress Cuckoo. 
: Although this bird peculiarly befits a poetic 
mood, it is curious to observe in what different 
humor the poets allude to it on different oc- 
casions. ‘To Spenser it is at one time 
‘“ The Merry Cuckoo, messenger of Spring,”’ 
whose 
“*trumpet shrill hath thrice already sounded.” 
At another time, in a very disparaging tone, 
he says: 
‘** The Cuckoo, when the Mavis sings, 
Begins his witlesse note apace to clatter.” 
Shakespeare is equally contradictory in com- 
mendation and depreciation of its notes. The 
difference may be accounted for by the con- 
trast of its harsh and disagreeable cry, as heard 
sometimes, and its smooth and distinctly in- 
toned effect at other times. On Wordsworth 
it sometimes has a mystical and sombre effect, 
as being 
‘No bird, but an invisible thing, 
A voice, a mystery !” 
Io! 
