120 STOEIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



The other, too, averse to roam, 

 Not often wandered far from home; 

 He loved the barn, and wished no more 

 •Than what was furnished by its floor. 

 But, on a chilly autumn morn, 

 The farmer filled his hand with corn, 

 The palate of the first to please. 

 And lure him to the haunt of Tease ; 

 That while the reign of frost should hold. 

 He might be sheltered from the cold. 

 Trim, eager for the scattered grains. 

 Is tempted from his own domains; 

 He still is led along with ease, 

 Until the other's form he sees; 

 Who forward struts, with haughty air, 

 And seems for battle to declare. 

 Unwilling for the offered fight. 

 Trim turns at once, and takes to flight; 

 The tenant of the barn he shuns. 

 And homeward to the cottage runs. 

 At once a jeering speech is heard: 

 "How swift he flies, the coward bird! 

 No valiant heart would tamely yield. 

 Before a struggle for the field; 

 Nor quail before a foeman's eye, 

 Nor, challenged, from his presence fly." 

 "You judge him wrong," a voice replies; 

 "The ruling motive deeper lies. 

 What prudence dictates, may appear 

 The prompting of unmanly fear; 

 Her voice it was which bade him shun 

 The ills of strife ere yet begun. 



