III. THE DABCHICKS. I 59 



The knowledge withal 



Of the Carpenter's awl, 

 Is drawn from the Nuthatch's bill ; 

 And the Sand-Martin's pains 



In the hazel-clad lanes 

 30 ""Instructed the Mason to drill. 



Is there one of the Arts, 



More dear to men's hearts ? 



To the bird's inspiration they owe it ; 



For the Nightingale first 



Sweet music rehearsed, 

 36 Prima-Donna, Composer, and Poet. 



The Owl's dark retreats 



Showed sages the sweets 



Of brooding, to spin, or unravel 



Fine webs in one's brain, 



Philosophical — vain ; 

 42 The Swallows, — the pleasures of travel. 



combine bricks with cement." In my Swallow lecture I 

 had no time to go into the question of her building materials ; 

 the point is, however, touched upon in the Appendix (pp. 

 194, 198, and note). 



30. 'Drill,' for 'quarry out,' 'tunnel,' etc., the best 

 general term available. 



36. Composer of the music ; Poet of the meaning. 



Compare, and think over, the Bullfinch's nest, etc., § 48 to 

 61 of • Eagle's Nest.' 



In modern music the meaning is, I believe, by the re- 

 puted masters omitted. 



39. To Spin, or «<«ravel. Synthesis and analysis, in the 

 vulgar Greek slang. 



