62 AUNT MARIA'S SWALLOWS.

 The little birds, they seemed half crazed,
 So well they liked the fun;
 Yet were the simple things amazed
 To see how it was done.

 They gazed upon the playful flock
 With eager, beaming eyes,
 And tried their winged ways to mock,
 And mock their twittering cries.

 They stretched themselves with many a shake;
 And oft, before they flew,
 Did they their feathery toilet make,
 And with a great ado.

 Three times the neighbours came that day,
 To teach their simple rules,
 According to the usual way
 In all the flying schools.

 The perpendicular they taught,
 And the graceful parallel;
 And sure I am, the younglings ought
 To learn their lessons well.

 Down from the nest at last they dropped,
 As if half dead with fear;
 And round among the logs they hopped,
 Their parents hovering near.

 Then back again they feebly flew,
 To rest from their great labours,
 And twittered a polite adieu
 To all their friendly neighbours.

 Next day they fluttered up and down;
 One perched upon my cap,
 Another on the old loose gown
 In which I take my nap.