  Part I.—The Bonnet. A bit of foundation as big as your hand; Bows of ribbon and lace; Wire sufficient to make them stand; A handful of roses, a velvet band— It lacks but one crowning grace. Part II.—The Bird. A chirp, a twitter, a flash of wings, Four wide-open mouths in a nest; From morning till night she brings and brings For growing birds, they are hungry things— Aye! hungry things at the best. The crack of a rifle, a shot well sped; A crimson stain on the grass; Four hungry birds in a nest unfed— Ah! well, we will leave the rest unsaid; Some things it were better to pass. Part III.—The Wearer. The lady has surely a beautiful face, She has surely a queenly air; The bonnet had flowers and ribbon and lace; But the bird had added the crowning grace— It is really a charming affair. Is the love of a bonnet supreme over all, In a lady so faultlessly fair? The Father takes heed when the sparrows fall, He hears when the starving nestlings call— Can a tender woman not care? —Anon. |
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