Young Folks' Column - Bobolink

Throat brimful of music —

Cannot keep it in;

Bless me! Wouldn't have you try;

"Twould almost be a sin,

Should think 'twould choke you though, sometimes,

The aperture's so small

That all this noise must struggle through,

Or not get out at all.

 

Swinging on the lily-cups,

Hiding in the clover,

Prince of comic vocalists,

Saucy little rover —

Give us a gem from Mozart;

A taste from Meyerbeer;

Or a morceau from Rossini,

Fit for cultivated ear.

 

Can not? — Well stop trying;

Your own wild notes are best,

Stick to the time you've practiced,

Never mind the rest;

Stretch your mouth to the utmost;

Pour forth your pearly song

Marred by no taint of by-gone grief,

Or shade of future wrong.

March 2, 1872. Bobolink. Pacific Rural Press 3(9): 138.