THE BIRDS' PETITION.
Reading edition
W e four little birdies, scarce able to fly, Are starv'd with the cold of the frosty sky; Through the trees and the hedgerows the white snow is driven, And lies around everywhere under the heaven; It hangs on the woods, it covers the wold, It spreads over city, and hamlet, and hold. Happy ye little folk! sheltered at home From the blasts that over the white world roam; You are merry and gay 'mid your plentiful stores, Oh, think of us ready to die out of doors! The ground yields no worm, few berries the trees, Oh, throw us some crumbs, little folk, if you please! So, when the summer-time comes with the flowers Decking the meadows, the wild wood, and bowers, Every garden and grove shall resound with our song: Oh, hear now our cry, for the winter is long! The berries are scarce, so deep lies the snow, But there's comfort in crumbs for birdies, you know!
"begging for crumbs." See p. 368.