FABLE XXVI.
Reading edition
THE OLD BULLFINCH AND YOUNG BIRDS.
It chanced, that, on a winter's day, But warm and bright, and calm as May, The birds, conceiving a design To forestall sweet St. Valentine, In many an orchard, copse, and grove, Assembled on affairs of love; And with much twitter and much chatter, Began to agitate the matter. At length, a Bullfinch, who could boast More years and wisdom than the most, Entreated, opening wide his beak, A moment's liberty to speak; And, silence publicly enjoined, Delivered briefly thus his mind: "My friends, be cautious how ye treat The subject upon which we meet; I fear we shall have winter yet." A Finch, whose tongue knew no control, With golden wing, and satin poll, A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried What marriage means, thus pert replied: "Methinks, the gentleman," quoth she, "Opposite, in the apple-tree, By his good will, would keep us single, 'Till yonder heaven and earth shall mingle; Or (which is likelier to befall) 'Till death exterminate us all. I marry without more ado; My dear Dick Redcap, what say you?" Dick heard; and tweedling, ogling, bridling, Turning short round, strutting, and sidling, Attested glad his approbation Of an immediate conjugation. Their sentiments so well express'd, Influenced mightily the rest; All pair'd, and each pair built a nest. But though the birds were thus in haste, The leaves came on not quite so fast; And destiny, that sometimes bears An aspect stern on man's affairs, Not altogether smil'd on theirs. The wind, that late breath'd gently forth, Now shifted east, and east by north; Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know, Could shelter them from rain or snow; Stepping into their nests, they paddled, Themselves were chill'd, their eggs were addled; Soon every father bird, and mother, Grew quarrelsome, and peck'd each other; Parted without the least regret, Except that they had ever met; And learn'd in future to be wiser Than to neglect a good adviser.
MORAL.
Young folks, who think themselves so wise, That old folks' counsel they despise, Will find, when they too late repent, Their folly prove their punishment.