Do not ask me _why?_ or _how?_--
All in Fairyland it chanced,
As the leaves upon the bough
In the autumn breezes danced!
"Quip-a-quip-a-quip-a-queer!"
Said the Thrush unto his mate.
"We must soon be gone from here;
No one else would stay so late!"
Do not ask me _why?_ or _how?_--
But his mate did sorely grieve:
"My dear nest upon this bough
It will break my heart to leave!"
Do not ask me _how?_ or _why?_--
But the thrush's children, too,
Perched around, began to cry,
"Oh, whatever shall we do?"
"Cheep-a-cheep-a-cheep-a-cheer!
Never such a nest as ours;
We would rather have it, _here_,
Than Bermuda and the flowers!"
"Cheep-a-cheep-a-cheep-a-cheer,"
Pleaded then the thrush's mate:
"Let us take the nest, my dear,
It is light and we are eight!"
(Do not ask me _why?_ or _how?_--)
But the thrushes, with a cheer,
Took that nest from off the bough--
"Quip-a-quip-a-quip-a-queer!
"Quip-a-quip-a-quip-a-queer!
Firmly, now, with beak and claw;
Spread your wings, and never fear,--
_You_ to push, and _you_ to draw!"
So the thrushes took their nest,
Every one his strength applied;
But the youngest 'twas thought best
Should be snugly tucked inside.
All in Fairyland it chanced!
There is nothing more to say;
Ere the morn was far advanced,
They were miles and miles away!