nd what a medley thing it is!
I never saw a nest like this...Here is a scrap of red and brown,
Like the old washer-woman's gown
And here is muslin, pink and green,
And bits of calico in betweenO never thinks the lady fair,
As she goes by with mincing air,
How the pert Sparrow over-head,
Has robbed her gown to make its bed!See, hair of dog and fur of cat,
And rovings of a worsted mat,
And shreds of silks, and many a feather.
Compacted cunningly together.Well, here has hoarding been and hiving,
And not a little good contriving,
Before a home of peace and ease
Was fashioned out of things like these!Think, had these odds and ends been brought
To some wise man renowned for thought,
Some man, of men a very gem,
Pray what could he have done with them?If we had said, Here, sir, we bring
You many a worthless little thing,
Just bits and scraps, so very small,
That they have scarcely size at allAnd out of these, you must contrive
A dwelling large enough for five
Neat, warm, and snug with comfort stored
Where five small things may lodge and board.How would the man of learning vast,
Have been astonished and aghast
And vowed, that such a thing had been
Ne'er heard of thought of, much less seen,Ah! Man of learning, you are wrong
Instinct is, more than wisdom, strong
And He who made the Sparrow, taught
This skill beyond your reach of thought.And here, in this uncostly nest,
These little creatures have been blest
Nor have kings known in palaces,
Half their contentedness in this
Poor simple dwelling as it is!
- excerpted from The Sparrow's Nest, Mary Howitt (1799-1888)