Birds all the summer day br Flutter and quarrel br Here in the arbour-like br Tent of the laurel. br br Here in the fork br The brown nest is seated; br For little blue eggs br The mother keeps heated. br br While we stand watching her br Staring like gabies, br Safe in each egg are the br Bird's little babies. br br Soon the frail eggs they shall br Chip, and upspringing br Make all the April woods br Merry with singing. br br Younger than we are, br O children, and frailer, br Soon in the blue air they'll be, br Singer and sailor. br br We, so much older, br Taller and stronger, br We shall look down on the br Birdies no longer. br br They shall go flying br With musical speeches br High overhead in the br Tops of the beeches. br br In spite of our wisdom br And sensible talking, br We on our feet must go br Plodding and walking.