The Rambles of an Idler 



take the same view of it? Did the thrush and 

 the wood-pewee wait for the robin to give the 

 signal? If so, why did they only, and not the 

 song-sparrow, cardinal and rose-breast join in 

 at the same moment? It is useless to conjec- 

 ture. It is mere assumption that consideration 

 of another's song ever entered a bird's head, 

 but here is what happened, 



The robin heard the whispering dawn 

 And knew that dreary night was gone; 

 Then told the good news far and near, 

 Shouted aloud that all might hear, 



" In sleep no longer drown your voice ; 

 Come, comrades, one and all, rejoice. 



" Come, gentle thrush, thy hymn repeat, 

 With sweetest chord the morning greet; 

 Thou, jaunty red-bird, warble well 

 Thy notes that breathe such potent spell; 

 Welcome the quick, in-coming day, 

 In thy persuasive, winning way." 



From hillside-slope to river's shore, 

 The meadows deep in brilliant bloom, 

 Bid shadow vex them now no more; 

 Aside they cast their night-long gloom; 



The chains that bound the world were broke 



88 



