34 
Nature Portraits 
Modest and shy as a nun is she ; 
One weak chirp is her only note. 
Braggart and prince of braggarts is he, 
Pouring boasts from his little throat : 
Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, 
Spink, spank, spink ; 
Never was I afraid of man; 
Catch me, cowardly knaves, if you can ! 
Chee, chee, chee. 
Six white eggs on a bed of hay, 
Flecked with purple, a pretty sight ! 
There as the mother sits all day, 
Robert is singing with all his might: 
Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, 
Spink, spank, spink ; 
Nice good wife, that never goes out, 
Keeping house while I frolic about. 
Chee, chee, chee. 
Soon as the little ones chip the shell, 
Six wide mouths are open for food ; 
Robert of Lincoln bestirs him well, 
Gathering seeds for the hungry brood. 
Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, 
Spink, spank, spink ; 
This new life is likely to be 
Hard for a gay young fellow like me. 
Chee, chee, chee. 
Robert of Lincoln at length is made 
Sober with work, and silent with care ; 
Off is his holiday garment laid, 
Half forgotten that merry air : 
Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, 
Spink, spank, spink ; 
Nobody knows but my mate and I 
Where our nest and our nestlings lie. 
Chee, chee, chee. 
