At husking time the tassel fades br To brown above the yellow blades, br Whose rustling sheath enswathes the corn br That bursts its chrysalis in scorn br Longer to lie in prison shades. br br Among the merry lads and maids br The creaking ox-cart slowly wades br Twixt stalks and stubble, sacked and torn br At husking time. br br The prying pilot crow persuades br The flock to join in thieving raids; br The sly racoon with craft inborn br His portion steals; from plenty's horn br His pouch the saucy chipmunk lades br At husking time.