_Pussy._--Siss-ss-siss-ss! Mee-ow? mee-ow!
_Fifth Sparrow._--Oh! wouldn't you like to, though? Spit away, old fellow! It's music to us sparrows.
_Sixth Sparrow._--You are the brute that killed my dear little Spotted-wing.
_Seventh Sparrow._--He also murdered my precious little Twitterwit.
_Eighth Sparrow._--He is a bad fellow; and it is not surprising he has come to grief.
_Ninth Sparrow._--Pull away, old boy! Sha'n't we come and help you? I love you so, I would like a lock of your hair.
_Tenth Sparrow_ (the one on the lowest bough).--Children, hush! It is not good sparrow morality to jeer at an enemy in affliction,--even a cat.
_Fifth Sparrow._--O grandfather, you shut up your bill! Just you go within reach of his claws, and see what cat-gratitude is.
_Tenth Sparrow._--My children, we must not exult over the pains even of an enemy. A cat has feelings.
_Pussy._--Siss-hiss-hoo! Mee-ow! Fitt! Fitt!
_Sixth Sparrow._--The expression of his face, too, how charming!
_Tenth Sparrow._--Fly back, all of you, to your bushes and trees; for here comes a little boy who will see that Pussy is rescued.
_First Sparrow._--Well, I wouldn't have missed this spectacle for a good deal.
_Fifth Sparrow._--It is better than Barnum's exhibition any day.
_First Sparrow._--Yes, and it costs us nothing.
_Tenth Sparrow._--There! Fly away, all of you! Fly away! You have said enough. I am ashamed of you all. You ought to know better than to be revengful. You are quite as bad as boys and men.
_Fifth Sparrow._--Grandfather is getting to be abusive. Let us fly off. Good-by, Pussy! Pull away!
FOUR little birds came out to greet The first pond-lily, so fair and sweet, The first that opened its petals white To the wooing breeze and the golden light. They flew around, then sat on the tree, And sang, "You are sweet as sweet can be: O dear Pond-lily! we do not jest: Now, which of us all do you love best?" Pond-lily spoke not, but, instead, Dipped in the water her beautiful head, As much as to say, "I'm well content In this my own pure element." The birds they sang in their very best style, But got no answer, not even a smile; For Pond-lily knew it was safest and best To keep where she was, on the wave's cool breast, And never to listen to flattering words From idle suitors and wandering birds.