Girl Swallow, thou dear one! now thou,
indeed,
From thy wandering dost reappear,
Tell me, who is it to thee that hath said
That again it is spring-time here.
Swa. The fatherly God, in that far-off clime,
Who sent me, he told me 'twas sweet
spring-time.

And though she had come so far and wide,
She was not deceived in time or tide.

[Illustration]

The snow it was gone, the sun shone warm,
The merry gnats danced in many a swarm,
The Swallow knew neither want nor care,
She found for her children enough and to
spare.

Girl Come, little Dog, 'tis your master's will
That you learn to sit upright and still.
Dog Learn must I? I'm so small, you see,
Just for a little while let it be!
Girl No, little Dog, it is far best to learn soon,
For later it would be more painfully done.

The little Dog learned, without more ado,
And soon could sit upright and walk
upright too;
In deepest waters unfearing could spring,
And whatever was lost could speedily bring.
The master saw his pleasure, and he too
began
To learn, and thus grew up a wise, good
man.

[Illustration]