The Golden-Robin's Nest

The golden-robin came to build his nest High in the elm-tree’s ever-nodding crest; All the long day, upon his task intent, Backward and forward busily he went, Gathering from far and near the tiny shreds That birdies weave for little birdies’ beds; Now bits of grass, now bits of vagrant string, And now some queerer, dearer sort of thing. For on the lawn, where he was wont to come In search of stuff to build his pretty home, We dropped one day a lock of golden hair Which our wee darling easily could spare; And close beside it tenderly we placed A lock that had the stooping shoulders graced Of her old grandsire; it was white as snow, Or cherry-trees when they are all ablow. Then throve the golden-robin’s work apace; Hundreds of times he sought the lucky place Where sure, he thought, in his bird-fashion dim, Wondrous provision had been made for him. Both locks, the white and golden, disappeared; The nest was finished, and the brood was reared; And then there came a pleasant summer’s day When the last golden-robin flew away. Ere long, in triumph, from its leafy height, We bore the nest so wonderfully dight, And saw how prettily the white and gold Made warp and woof of many a gleaming fold. But when again the golden-robins came, Cleaving the orchards with their breasts aflame, Grandsire’s white locks and baby’s golden head Were lying low, both in one grassy bed. And so more dear than ever is the nest Ta’en from the elm-tree’s ever nodding crest. Little the golden-robin thought how rare A thing he wrought of white and golden hair!