VI 



THE POETIC INTERPRETATION OF NATURE 



MERRILY swinging on brier and weed, 



Near to the nest of his little dame, 

 Over the mountain-side or mead, 



Robert of Lincoln is telling his name : 

 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink; 

 Snug and safe is that nest of ours, 

 Hidden among the summer flowers. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



Robert of Lincoln is gaily drest, 



Wearing a bright black wedding-coat ; 

 White are his shoulders and white his crest. 

 Hear him call in his merry note : 

 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink ; 

 Look what a nice new coat is mine, 

 Sure there was never a bird so fine. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife, 



Pretty and quiet with plain brown wings, 



Passing at home a patient life, 



Broods in the grass while her husband sings 



(116) 



