Foolish Bobolink.

What a silly bobolink,     Down in the meadow grasses!     What can the noisy fellow think,     When, to everyone who passes,     He calls out cheerily,     "Here, here is my nest! See! see!"     He could hide the summer through     In the thick, sweet-smelling clover,     Nor could anyone from dawn to dew,     His little house discover,     Did he not make so free     With the secret--"Here! see! see!"     Little Ted has ears and eyes,     And how can he keep from knowing     Just where the cosy treasure lies,     When bobolink, coming, going,     Shouts, plain as plain can be,     "Here, here is a nest! See! see!"     And Teddy would like to creep     Tip-toe across the meadow,     And for just one minute stoop and peep     Under the clover shadow.     He would do no harm--not he!     But would only see, see, see!     And what would he find below     The sheltering grass, you wonder?     Why, a nest, of course, and an egg or so,     A mother's dark wings under.     But bobolink--he would flee     In a fright--"A boy! see! see!"     So Teddy, whose heart is kind,     Though he longs to venture near him,     Sighs to himself, "Ah, never mind!"     And listens, glad to hear him     Shouting, in tireless glee,     "Here, here is my nest! See! see!"     Green gravel, Green gravel,     The grass is so green,     The fairest young maiden, that ever was seen,     Oh Mary, oh Mary, your true love is dead.     He's sent you a green bough     To tie round your head.