AUNT MARIA'S SWALLOWS. 59

And here they came in sunny hours,
 And here their nest they made,
Safe, as if hid in greenwood bowers,
 For none their will gainsayed.

I think theyfelt a friendly sphere,
 And knew we loved them dearly;
For they seemed to have no thought of fear,
 And planned their household cheerily.

They fanned me with their busy wings,
 And buzzed about my head;
Never were such familiar things
 In field or forest bred.

The father was a gentle bird
 Right gracefully he wooed,
And softer notes were never heard
 Than to his mate he cooed.

And when their clay-built nest she lined,
 He'd go, in sunny weather,
And search and search, till he could find
 Some little downy feather.

Then high would swell his loving breast,
 He felt so very proud,
And he would sidle to the nest,
 And call to her aloud.

And she would raise her glossy head,
 And make a mighty stir,
To see if it were hair or thread
 That he had brought for her.

And she would take it from his bill
 With such an easy grace,
As courtly beauties sometimes will
 Accept a veil of lace.