and on this, with their mother's nelp, they feasted. The Canary admired the ingenuity with which the nest had been put together. The moss so finely assorted, the harsh materials that were placed on the outer side, and the soft feathers that lined it within. The chaffinch, now, seated on an opposite spray, sung the following song: I. Cheer up, cheer up, behold the day, II. O, never may my anxious breast, Sleep, little dear ones, safe from harm, Safe from noise, and rude alarm! III. May no idle thoughtless boy Wherein my fondest hopes are laid! IV. And be my life protected, too, V. Cheer, up, cheer up, behold the day CHAP. 1 CHAP. XI. The common air, the sun, the skies, To him are opening paradise. ODE TO VICISSITUDE, BY GRAY AND MASON. By the incidents related in the former chapters, our Canary's attention was diverted, from the moment of his escape till near noon on the following day. When he left his cage, he had no idea that he was leaving Mira: the door was half open; -he peeped ;-descended from his perch;-wondered at the novel circumstance;-eyed the vast range before him with sidelong looks; and resolved to venture where fortune invited. Not then, heedless creature! not then, did he consider whether he should remain within the reach of his attentive mistress! And while the fields were new, while delights presented themselves in distracting multiplicity, he might have been excused if he had suffered a temporary forgetfulness to possess him: he might-indeed, he might:-but, in truth, he he frequently wondered that no change of place brought him to Mira. It may seem remarkable, but he had no inclination to be confined to his cage again: on the other hand, he did not dread the idea of entering it, now and then. He wished that the door might be always open; and nothing in future prevent his resorting to the woods whenever he pleased. He had no apprehension of cold weather; he rejoiced in the present sun-shine, and imagined that it would always last. These reflections were made among the woodbine that per fumed |