The Zankiwank and The Bletherwitch Part 4

While the corn is ready to reap.

Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!

And the lightest hours a-creep.

Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!

On the edge of the misty deep.

As they lay upon the bank, to their surprise a procession of birds came along, the two foremost being fine handsome thrushes, carrying a large banner of ivy leaves, on which was inscribed, in letters of red clover, the following legend:--

BEAN-FEAST OF BIRDS FROM LONDON AND THE SUBURBS.

"Fancy," said Maude, "all the birds of London Town come to Fairy-land for a change of air!"

"And why not?" asked a saucy c.o.c.k-sparrow. "We can't be always singing the same song, so we come here for a change of air, and of course when we get a change of air we return with new melodies. If you were to Reed your books properly you would know that the Pipes of our Organs--our vocal Organs--want tuning occasionally."

Then, without any warning, they all struck up a new song, and marvel of marvels, instead of merely singing like ordinary birds, they sang the words as well. But before giving you the lyric that they voiced so melodiously I must tell you the names of some of the birds they saw, and if you live in London or any large town you will perhaps know several of them by sight, as well as by cognomen. First in the throng were the Mistle-Thrushes and the song Thrushes; the Redwing and the Fieldfare, the Blackbird and the Redstart, and the Redbreast with faithful Jenny Wren; the large family of t.i.tmouse and the merry Chiff-chaff, with his pleasant little song of "Chiff-chaff; chiff-chaff; chiv-chave." The humoursome Wagtails and that rare visitant the Waxwing, hopped along together, followed by the Swallows and the Martins, and a whole posse of Finches of various orders, particularly the Chaffinches who were joking with the Linnets.

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Then came the noisy Starlings, the Magpies and the Sparrows chattering incessantly and evidently talking scandal. The sly Jackdaws and the Ravens looking as sleek as Sunday s.e.xtons, but evidently plotting mischief, were also present, in close proximity to the Rooks and the Crows, who were well able to take care of their own caws. Afterwards came the Swifts and the Larks up to all sorts of games. A few Woodp.e.c.k.e.rs joined their feathered friends, and one Cuckoo was there, because Willie heard him, but he kept somewhere in the background as usual. Owls and Bats and Millards with Wigeons and Pigeons brought up the rear with a few Plovers, including the Lapwing. Jack Snipe came tumbling after in a hurry, with a stranger called the Whimbrel and a Puffin out of breath. There were other birds as well, but I don't think you would know them if I mentioned them. Maude and Willie did not, and they were quite authorities on ornithology, and perhaps you are not.

THE SONG OF THE BIRDS.

We are the birds of London Town, Come out to take the air, To change our coats of grey and brown, And trim our feathers rare.

For London fogs so very black Our tempers disarrange, And so we skip with piping trip, To have our yearly change.

Pee wit! Tu! whoo!

How do you do?

Tweet! tweet! chip! chip!

Chiff! chaff! chiff chay!

Weet wee! weet weet! sweet way!

Cuckoo!

We sing our songs in London Town, To make the workers gay; And seeds and crumbs they throw us down-- 'Tis all we ask as pay.

We make them think of fields all green And long-forgotten things; Of far-off hopes and dreams a-sheen And love with golden wings.

Pee wit! Tu! whoo!

How do you do?

Tweet! tweet! chip! chip!

Chiff! chaff! chiff chay!

Weet wee! weet weet! sweet way!

Cuckoo!

After this very entertaining song each bird stood on one leg, spread one wing, and joined partners for one of the prettiest dances you ever saw.

It was called the Birds' Quadrille, and was so charmingly executed that even the flowers left their beds and borders to look on--the fairies peeping meanwhile from the buds to join in the general enjoyment. The voices of the flowers were lifted in gentle cadences to the rhythm of the feathered dancers' featly twists and turns.

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How happy the children felt in this beautiful place with all Nature vieing to show her sweetest charms. And how rich and rare were the gems of foliage and tree and humble creeping plants. How easy to forget everything--but joy--in this fairy paradise that Fancy so deftly pictured for them! Could there be anything sad in Flower Land? They could not believe it possible, and yet when a tiny little fairy stepped from a cl.u.s.ter of wild flowers and sang them the song of the Lily and the Rose, diamond tears stole down the cheeks of the little la.s.s and the little lad.

THE ROSE AND THE LILY.

A tender Rose, so pretty and sleek, Loved a Lily pure and white; And paid his court with breathings meek-- Watching o'er her day and night.

While the Lily bowed her virgin head, The Rose his message sent; The Lily clung to her lover red, And gave her shy consent.

The Violets cooed, and the Hare-bells rang, And the Jasmine shook with glee; While the birds high in the branches sang, "Forget not true to be."

Dear Flora came the wedding to see,-- The Cowslips had decked the bride, The Red Rose trembled so nervously-- His blushes he could not hide.

The Daisies opened their wee white eyes, The Pinks came down in rows; "Forget-me-not!" the Lily cries, "My own, my sweet Moss Rose!"

The Violets cooed, and the Hare-bells rang, And the Jasmine shook with glee; While the birds high in the branches sang, "O may you happy be!"

The Flower-fairies were gathered there, And every plant as well, To attend the wedding of this pair So sweet that no pen can tell.

But a cruel wind came sweeping by-- The Lily drooped and died....

Then the Red Rose gave one tearful sigh, And joined his Lily bride.

The Violets wept, and the Hare-bells sobbed, The Myrtle and Jasmine sighed; The birds were hushed as their hearts all throbbed At the death of the Rose's bride.

Before the children had time to grow too sorrowful, there was a fluttering in the air and a rus.h.i.+ng among the plants and flowers as the Zankiw.a.n.k bounded into their presence, cutting so many capers that they were glad they were not to have mutton for dinner, as certainly all the capers would be destroyed.

The Zankiw.a.n.k was in very high spirits, and gleefully announced that the Court of the Fairies, with the Queen, was coming, as Sally who lived in somebody's alley had just informed him. Then he burst out singing to a tune, which I daresay you all know, the following foolish words:--

Of all the flowers that are so smart, There's none like Daffydilly!

She'd be the darling of my heart, But she has grown so silly!

There is no wild flower in the land That's half so tame as Daisy; To her I'd give my heart and hand, But fear I'd drive her crazy!

And then there is the Cabbage Rose, Also the China Aster; But b.u.t.tercup with yellow nose Would cause jealous disaster.

Forget-me-not, O Violet dear!

Primrose, you know my pa.s.sion!

For all the plants afar--anear I court in flowery fas.h.i.+on!

"Oh, please be serious!" cried Willie. "_What_ is the matter with you, Mr Zankiw.a.n.k?"

You will perceive that Willie and Maude were quite at home in their new surroundings, and nothing seemed to surprise them one whit, not even the unexpected which they constantly antic.i.p.ated.

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The Zankiw.a.n.k only asked permission to send one more telegram to the Bletherwitch, and then he condescended to inform them that Queen t.i.tania was about to pay a visit to the Flowers and the Birds, and sure enough, before he had done speaking, t.i.tania arrived all the way from Athens, with a full train of fairies and elves, accompanied by a fairy band playing fairy music. Robin Goodfellow skipped in advance, while Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustard-seed attended on the lovely Queen.

"Indeed, indeed this must be a Midsummer Night's Dream!"

"Indeed and indeed then it is," mocked the impudent Robin Goodfellow.

"The fairies are not dead yet; and they never will die while good little girls and boys, and poets with sweet imaginations, live. But quick, let not the Queen see you! Eat of these Fern Seeds and you will become invisible even to the fairies. They are special seeds of my own growing and warranted to last as long as I choose."

So Maude and Willie ate of the Fern Seeds and became invisible, even to the Zankiw.a.n.k, who was dreadfully distressed and went about calling them by name. In a spirit of mischief Willie pinched his exceedingly thin legs, making him jump as high as an April rain-bow, and causing him to be called to order by the Court Usher.

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