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AND OTHER

SMALL BIRDS,

SELECTED FROM THE BRITISH POETS,

FOR THE

INSTRUCTION AND AMUSEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

BY JOSEPH TAYLOR,

Compiler of the General Character of the Dog, Wonders of
the Horse, &c. &c.

For song melodious, and for plumage gay,
The feather'd choir Almighty power display.

LONDON:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY WILLIAM DARTON, Juni
No. 58, HOLBORN-HILL

EIAN

18 DEC 1972

LIBRARY

TALES

OP

THE ROBIN.

A SINGULAR story is told of a ROBIN REDBREAST, who, for fifteen years, inhabited the Cathedral of Bristol, and received its subsistence from the hands of the verger. During the time of divine service, it usually perched upon one of the mitres of the organ, and accompanied the solemnity with offering up its harmonious praise.

The following elegant Lines were written by a Member of that Church on this little Chorister.

SWEET Social Bird! whose soft harmonious lays Swell the glad song of thy Creator's praise, Say, art thou conscious of approaching ills, Fell Winter's storms, the pointed blast that kills

Shun'st thou the savage North's unpitying breath? Or cruel man's more latent snares of death? Here dwell secure, here, with incessant note, Pour the soft music of thy trembling throat Here, gentle bird, a sure asylum find,

t;

Nor dread the chilling frost, nor boisterous wind.
No hostile tyrant of the feather'd race
Shall dare invade thee in this hallow'd place;
-Nor, while he sails the liquid air along,
Check the shrill number of thy cheerful song:
No cautious gunner, whose unerring sight,
Stops the swift eagle in his rapid flight,
Shall here disturb my lovely songster's rest,
Nor wound the plumage of his beauteous breast,
The truant school-boy, who in cruel play,
With viscid lime involves the trench'rous spray,
In vain shall spread the wily snare for thee;
Alike secure thy life and liberty.

Peace then, sweet warbler, to thy futt'ring heart,
Defy the rage of hawks, and toils of art.
Now shake thy downy plumes: now gladly pay
Thy grateful tribute to each rising day;
While crowds below their willing voices raise,
To sing with holy zeal Jehovah's praise;

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