ark,
If it's not in the dark,
I'll be the clerk.

Who'll toll the bell?
I, said the Bull,
Because I can pull,
I'll toll the bell.

And all the little birds
Fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll
For poor Cock Robin.

And of Cock Robin again, no less captivating has been the ballad
celebrating his wedding with little Jenny Wren. Though why with a lady
of the Wren family, must always strike naturalists as an absurdity; and,
I suppose, we may not ask how it was the banns were not forbidden, since
the Messrs. Wren, with the children, and the whole creation of
birds--with the single exception of a blackguard cuckoo--have jubilantly
acquiesced in the nuptials.

THE MARRIAGE OF COCK ROBIN AND JENNY WREN.

It was a merry time,
When Jenny Wren was young,
So neatly as she dressed,
And so sweetly as she sung.

Robin Redbreast lost his heart,
He was a gallant bird;
He doffed his hat to Jenny,
And thus to her he said:

"My dearest Jenny Wren,
If you will but be mine,
You shall dine on cherry pie
And drink nice currant wine.

"I'll dress you like a goldfinch,
Or like a peacock gay;
So, if you'll have me, Jenny,
Let us appoint the day."

Jenny blushed behind her fan,
And thus declared her mind:
"Then let it be to-morrow, Bob--
I take your offer kind.

"Cherry pie is very good,
So is currant wine;
But I'll wear my russet gown
And never dress too fine."

Robin rose up early,
At the break of day;
He flew to Jenny Wren's house
To sing a roundelay.

He met the Cock and Hen,
And bade the Cock declare
This was his wedding day
With Jenny Wren the fair.

The Cock then blew his horn,
To let the neighbours know
This was Robin's wedding day,
And they might see the show.

Then followed him the Lark,
For he could sweetly sing,
And he was to be the clerk
At Cock Robin's wedding.

He sang of Robin's love
For little Jenny Wren;
And when he came unto the end,
Then he began again.

At first came Parson Rook,
With his spectacles and band;
And one of Mother Hubbard's books
He held within his hand.

The Goldfinch came on next,
To give away the bride;
The Linnet, being bridesmaid,
Walked by Jenny's side;

And as she was a-walking,
Said, "Upon my word,
I think that your Cock Robin