136 $0PP2- 
PKIDE AND THE POPPIES.-THEIR GRANDEUR AND FALL. 
“We little Red-caps are among the corn, 
Merrily dancing at early morn, 
We know that the farmer hates to see 
Our saucy red faces; but here are we I 
“We pay no price for our summer coats, 
Like those slavish creatures, barley and oats; 
We don’t choose to be ground and eat, 
Like our heavy-head neighbour, Gaffer Wheat. 
“ Who dare thrash we should like to know! 
Grind us, and bag us, and use us so! 
Let meaner and shabbier things than we 
So stupidly bend to utility !” 
So said little Red-cap, and all the rout 
Of the Poppy-clan set up a mighty shout; 
Mighty for them, but if you had heard 
You had thought it the cry of a tiny bird. 
So the Poppy-folk flaunted it over the field, 
In pride of grandeur they nodded and reeled ; 
And shook out their jackets, till naught was seen, 
But a wide, wide shimmer of scarlet and green. 
The Blue-bottle sat on her downy stalk, 
Quietly smiling at all their talk. 
The Marigold still spread her rays to the sun, 
And the purple Vetch climbed up to peep at the fun. 
