Mr. Beck — Last fall a Robin entangled his legs with a thread, caught the branches of a tree in front of my house, where it was impossible to extricate him. He lingered a few hours and died. This spring, the ancient nest was re-occupied by (probably) the descendants of the unfortunate bird; and the following lines were written (but mislaid) by your humble servant, Doctor Gunter.
- Welcome sweet Robins to your tree;
- I hear your morning minstrelsy
- With the first dawn of spring;
- With extasy enjoy your notes,
- And watch your little swelling throats
- As you melodious sing.
- Welcome sweet Robin back again,
- Relate where you so long have been
- And how the winter pass'd :
- Have you the elements withstood
- In caves with Madam Solitude
- And safe return'd at last?
- Welcome sweet Robin to your home,
- For ev'ry note, I'll throw a crumb —
- Thrice welcome to the tree,
- Which long your ancestors possess'd
- Repair, and occupy their nest
- And live in harmony.
- Welcome sweet Robin, play and sing,
- Be guarded that the fatal string
- Which caught your sire last year,
- Shall not around your legs entwine,
- Suspend you on the Elm or Pine
- And draw the unconscious tear.