Part 2

But should all this unmerciful prattle be penn’d, My story would never be brought to an end. So it only remains, with a few parting words, To take leave of this marvellous Meeting of Birds; Who, from flying or walking, now sat down at table To a _Pic-nic_ provided as each one was able. As the Guests were domestic—erratic—aquatic, } The dishes were various, the feeders ecstatic, } And the salt, too, that season’d the supper was Attic. } The fish were delightfully drest by the _Cook_, Whom for this very purpose, without line or hook, In the shallows of Cornwall, the PELICAN took. In a party so large you must easily think Some dissentions arose about victuals and drink. Thus, the tongues of the delicate all were at work, } In abusing that foul-feeding savage the STORK, } For harpooning live frogs with his double-prong’d fork; } While the BUSTARD by few was esteem’d over nice, For supping so sweetly on moles, and on mice. Then, the lovers of salad were fuming and huffing, At the very bad oil introduc’d by the PUFFIN. The BLACKBIRD, beside, rais’d a host of deriders, For piling his plate up with dozens of spiders. But the PELICAN most was detested by all; } For the fish shovell’d into her pouch at a haul } Would have set up a moderate Fishmonger’s stall: } Yet the herrings thus pack’d in her natural barrel (’Twas _this_ that provok’d all the clamour and quarrel) She dreams not of eating—far less of digesting— Till her leisure shall serve, while her babies are resting. No Pelican’s perfect, I grant:—what of that?— She’s the best, _very_ best, of all Mothers, that’s flat. For what other Mamma keeps a tap of good blood Running out at her breast for her family’s good?— But among all the gluttons that peck’d at the feast, The HERN and the CORMORANT lik’d themselves least; For both, though with ev’ry fair right to be burst,— Poor things!—were as lanky at last as at first! Yet the Parrot seem’d most incommoded at supper, So much was her under lip cramp’d by the upper. The OSTRICH was long but a mere stander-by, While his bowels would dismally grumble and cry. Such digestible dainties _his_ stomach rejected:— Never yet was, for him, a worse supper selected! So he pick’d a few stones which the place did inviron, Which he crumbled as bread in a nice mess of iron. “A supper of iron!—pray, Sir, was it _hot_?” No, my arch little rogue—I should think it was not. “But how did he get it, Sir?”—How!—what a question! You’d better have ask’d how he got the digestion: For the _stuff_—that’s a matter he easily settles; } For instance—_our_ Ostrich despising the victuals, } Fell to kissing the cook for the pots and the kettles. } While thus they were lining and moist’ning their clay, A choice Band of performers were piping away. But, as most knew the natural notes of the rest, It was voted by all—_Imitations_ were best. The BLACK-CAP, who often had plac’d himself snug, For the purpose of catching the NIGHTINGALE’S jug, Had listen’d so closely, and learnt it so pat, He was dubb’d the _mock Nightingale_, merely for that:— So he jugg’d, and he trill’d, and he quaver’d so pretty, That his Master himself hardly knew his own ditty. Yet one thing in dudgeon the company took— An occasional bass from the RAVEN, or ROOK; Though the gravest were somewhat to laughter inclin’d, As the WAG-TAIL kept time by a jerk from behind.— Then, the BULFINCH began—and ’tis well he was taught, For the note he was born to, is not worth a groat: But he prov’d an apt scholar; and soon, not a tone Nor an air cou’d he hear, but he made it his own.— The GOLD-FINCH, a qualified _Treble_, was there, And was prest to exhibit—but, though you may stare, This puppy preferr’d the whole ev’ning to pass, In prinking and dressing his plumes at the glass. But soon in the place of this pert little Antic, Rose a Singer of note from across the Atlantic; The MOCK-BIRD—who beat all competitors hollow, By leading, where none had the courage to follow. Not content, like his mimicking sisters and brothers, To go out of himself, and to personate others, He ravish’d all ears with such strains of his own— } In a descant so solemn, so melting a moan,— } As Apollo might breathe from his musical throne!— } But music’s no guard against mischief, ’tis found; For this vocal Magician, this Tyrant of sound, Has a trick—as with just indignation I state— To decoy little warblers, by mocking the mate; But no sooner has manag’d his dupes to inveigle, Than he scares out their souls with the screams of an Eagle. Now the tables were clear’d, and the Cock gave a crow.— At the signal, her Majesty bow’d to them low— Inuendo imperial! whence all were to gather, That their room was desir’d—than their company rather. So, with thanks to the King and his Consort for all, In three flirts of a wing, they had emptied the Hall.

THE END.

G. Woodfall, Printer, Paternoſter-row.

Books for Young Persons lately published by J. Mawman, 22, Poultry.

1. EVENING AMUSEMENTS; or, the BEAUTY of the HEAVENS DISPLAYED. In which several striking appearances to be observed every Evening in the Heavens, during the Year 1808, are described, and several means on various evenings are pointed out, by which the time of young persons may be innocently, agreeably, and profitably employed within doors. By W. FREND, ESQ. M. A. Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge.

Neatly printed and enriched with Six Plates of the principal Constellations, price 3s. boards, by the same Author.

Intended to be continued annually,

EVENING AMUSEMENTS for the year 1804, fourth Edition, 2s. 6d. boards.

———————— 1805, 1806 & 1807, each 3s. boards.

TANGIBLE ARITHMETIC; or the Art of Numbering made Easy, by means of an Arithmetical Toy. 7s. 6d. boards.

2. An ENTERTAINING and INSTRUCTIVE GEOGRAPHICAL GAME, on an entirely new plan, peculiarly adapted to the Use of Schools and Seminaries of Education, by the Editor of the “Parent’s Friend.” Recommended by W. FREND, ESQ. 7s. 6d. in a box.

3. YOUTH’s HISTORICAL GUIDE, together with the Evidences of the Christian Religion, comprehending an Introduction to History in general, History of the Jews, Historical Heads of Greece, Rome, and England, &c. By JOHN SABINE. 12mo. 4s. bound.

4. HOLIDAYS at HOME, written for the Amusement of Young Persons. By CHARLOTTE SANDERS. 12mo. 3s. 6d. bound.

By the same Author,

5. The LITTLE FAMILY, written for the Amusement and Instruction of Youth. 4s. bound.

6. EDMUND, a Tale for Children. 1s. 6d. half-bound.

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8. STUDY of ASTRONOMY adapted to the Capacities of Youth, in Twelve Familiar Dialogues, between a Tutor and his Pupil, explaining the general Phænomena of the Heavenly Bodies, the Theory of the Tides, &c. illustrated with copperplates. By JOHN STEDMAN. 4th edit, bound 3s. 6d.