The Peacock At Home | Page 2

was still on his tour.?While the CUCKOO, who should have been one of the guests?Was rambling on visits to other Birds' Nests.
[Illustration: "Such ruffling of feathers, such pruning of coats, &c." _Page 5._]
But the rest all accepted the kind invitation,?And much bustle it caused in the plumed creation:?Such ruffling of feathers, such pruning of coats;?Such chirping, such whistling, such clearing of throats;?Such polishing bills and such oiling of pinions?Had never been known in the biped dominions.?The TAYLOR BIRD offer'd to make up new clothes?For all the young Birdlings, who wish'd to be Beaux:?He made for the ROBIN a doublet of red,?And a new velvet cap for the GOLDFINCH'S head;?He added a plume to the WREN'S golden crest,?And spangled with silver the GUINEA-FOWL'S breast;?While the HALCYON bent over the streamlet to view,?How pretty she look'd in her boddice of blue!?Thus adorn'd, they set off for the Peacock's abode, [p 6] With the Guide INDICATOR, who show'd them the road:?From all points of the compass, flock'd Birds of all feather; And the PARROT can tell who and who were together.?There was Lord CASSOWARY and General FLAMINGO,?And Don PEROQUETO, escap'd from Domingo;?From his high rock built eyrie the EAGLE came forth,?And the Duchess of PTARMIGAN flew from the North.?The GREBE and the EIDER DUCK came up by water,?With the SWAN, who brought out the young CYGNET, her daughter. From his woodland abode came the PHEASANT to meet?Two kindred, arrived by the last India fleet;?The one, like a Nabob, in habit most splendid,?Where gold with each hue of the Rainbow was blended:?In silver and black, like a fair pensive Maid,?Who mourns for her love, was the other array'd.?The CHOUGH came from Cornwall, and brought up his Wife;?The GROUSE travell'd south, from his Lairdship in Fife;?The BUNTING forsook her soft nest in the reeds, [p 7] And the WIDOW-BIRD came, though she still wore her weeds. Sir John HERON, of the Lakes, strutted in a _grand pas_,?But no card had been sent to the pilfering DAW,?As the Peacock kept up his progenitor's quarrel,?Which ?sop relates, about cast-off apparel;?For Birds are like Men in their contests together,?And, in questions of right, can dispute for a feather.
[Illustration: "From his high rock-built eyrie the Eagle came forth, &c." _Page 6._]
[Illustration: "A holly-bush form'd the orchestra, &c."--_Page 7._]
The PEACOCK, Imperial, the pride of his race,?Receiv'd all his guests with an infinite grace,?Wav'd high his blue neck, and his train he display'd,?Embroider'd with gold, and with em'ralds inlaid.?Then with all the gay troop to the shrubb'ry repair'd,?Where the musical Birds had a concert prepar'd;?A holly bush form'd the Orchestra, and in it?Sat the Black-bird, the Thrush, the Lark, and the Linnet; A BULL-FINCH, a captive! almost from the nest,?Now escap'd from his cage, and, with liberty blest,?In a sweet mellow tone, join'd the lessons of art?With the accents of nature, which flow'd from his heart.?The CANARY, a much admir'd foreign musician, [p 8] Condescended to sing to the Fowls of condition.?While the NIGHTINGALE warbled and quaver'd so fine,?That they all clapp'd their wings, and pronounc'd it divine! The SKY LARK, in extacy, sang from a cloud,?And CHANTICLEER crow'd, and the YAFFIL laugh'd loud.?The dancing began, when the singing was over;?A DOTTERELL first opened the ball with the PLOVER;?Baron STORK, in a waltz, was allowed to excel,?With his beautiful partner, the fair DEMOISELLE;?And a newly-fledg'd GOSLING, so fair and genteel,?A minuet swam with the spruce Mr. TEAL.?A London-bred SPARROW--a pert forward Cit!?Danc'd a reel with Miss WAGTAIL, and little TOM TIT.?And the Sieur GUILLEMOT next performed a _pas seul_,?While the elderly bipeds were playing a Pool.?The Dowager Lady TOUCAN first cut in,?With old Doctor BUZZARD and Adm'ral PENGUIN,?From Ivy bush tow'r came Dame OWLET the Wise,?And Counsellor CROSSBILL sat by to advise.
[Illustration: "Baron Stork, in a waltz, was allowed to excel, &c." _Page 8._]
[Illustration: "The Dowager Lady Toucan first cut in, &c."--_Page 8._]
[Illustration: "Till a Magpie, at length, the banquet announcing, &c." _Page 9._]
Some birds past their prime, o'er whose heads it was fated, [p 9] Should pass many St. Valentines--yet be unmated,?Sat by, and remark'd that the prudent and sage?Were quite overlook'd in this frivolous age,?When Birds, scarce pen-feathered, were brought to a rout, Forward Chits! from the egg-shell but newly come out:?In their youthful days, they ne'er witness'd such frisking, And how wrong! in the GREENFINCH to flirt with the SISKIN. So thought Lady MACKAW, and her Friend COCKATOO,?And the RAVEN foretold that no good could ensue!?They censur'd the BANTAM for strutting and crowing?In those vile pantaloons, which he fancied look'd knowing: And a want of decorum caus'd many demurs?Against the GAME CHICKEN, for coming in spurs.
Old Alderman CORMRANT, for supper impatient,?At the Eating-room door, for an hour had been station'd,?Till a MAGPYE, at length, the banquet announcing,?Gave the signal, long wish'd for, of clamouring and pouncing; At the