_MRS. BRINDLE'S COWSLIP FEAST._
A cow lived in a pleasant field,
Where cowslips bloomed in spring.
Said she, "I think a cowslip feast
Would be a pleasant thing."
So Mrs. Brindle sent a calf
Around the farm, to say
That she should give a cowslip feast
At four o'clock that day.
At four o'clock she sat in state
Beside the flowing brook;
The cowslips, with their golden heads,
Did most inviting look.
The brindle calf in apron stood
To ope the five-barred gate;
And then his mother said that he
Upon the guests must wait.
The company at length drew near:
First Mrs. Blossom came,
And Mrs. Dun, and Mr. Bull,
Who seemed to-day quite tame.
Red, spotted, white, a goodly band
Of cows and calves came nigh;
And Mr. Donkey said that he
Would cowslips like to try.
And Mrs. Mare came with her foal,
And Mr. Horse came too,
And several sheep with frisky lambs,
In woolen dresses new.
Then Mrs. Brindle bade her guests
The cowslips sweet to eat;
And if they wished to drink, she said,
The brook was clear and sweet.
They ate and drank, and chatted too;
And, when they went away,
Said, "Thank you for your cowslip feast,
Dear brindle cow, to-day."
* * * * *
I thought the sparrow's note from heaven,
Singing at dawn on the elder bough;
I brought him home; in his nest, at even,
He sings the song, but it pleases not now:
For I did not bring home the river and sky--
He sang to my ear; they sang to my eye.