I took the wren's nest ; 



Heaven forgive me! 



Its merry architects so small 



Had scarcely finished their wee hall, 



That, empty still, and neat and fair, 



Hung idly in the summer air. 



The mossy walls, the dainty door. 



Where Love should enter and explore. 



And Love sit caroling outside, 



And Love within chirp multiplied — 



I took the wren's nest ; 



Heaven forgive me! 



How many hours of happy pains 

 Through early frosts and April rains, 

 How many songs at eve and morn 

 O'er springing grass and greening corn. 

 What labors hard, through sun and shade. 

 Before the pretty house was made! 

 One little minute, only one, 

 And she'll fly back, and find it — gone ! 



I took the wren's nest ; 



Bird, forgive me! 



Dinah Maria Mtjlock. 



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