34 SPRING-TIDE. 



S. What other verse is it they have 

 about the cuckoo ? 



Simon. The Cuckoo comes in April, 

 Stays the month o' May, 

 Zengs a zong at Midzummer, 

 And then a gwoes away. 



S. Ay, that 's it. The bird chooses 

 the three most delicious months of the 

 year ; and, though his name has become a 

 by- word among us, his advent glads the 

 heart of man, notwithstanding his " note 

 of fear." The small birds, however, give 

 him a dusting occasionally, either out of 

 revenge for the petty larceny he commits 

 on them, or for his resemblance to the 

 hawk, with whom they sometimes venture 

 too far, as with the owl, and suffer for 

 their temerity. Yet, long live the cuckoo ! 



" Time may come when never more 



The wilderness shall hear the lion roar ; 

 But, long as cock shall crow from household perch 

 To rouse the dawn, soft gales shall speed thy wing, 

 And thy erratic voice be faithful to the Spring." 



