[Illustration: D]
Don't kill the birds!--the little birds,
That sing about your door,
soon as the joyous spring has come,
And chilling storms are o'er.
The little birds!--how sweet they sing!
O! let them joyous live;
And do not seek to take their life,
Which you can never give.
Don't kill the birds!--the pretty birds
That play among the trees!
'T would make the earth a cheerless place,
Should we dispense with these.
The little birds! how fond they play!
Do not disturb their sport;
But let them warble forth their songs,
Till winter cuts them short.
[Illustration]
Don't kill the birds!--the happy birds
That bless the field and grove:
Such harmless things to look upon,
They claim our warmest love.
[Illustration]