saw
The gilt Ball on the Dome of the LADY MACAW:
With _her_ we will breakfast at Aviary Hall,
And who knows what success may our visit befal."
Now it luckily happened on this very day,
That the COUNTESS was giving a grand _Dejeune_;
And she actually started--so great her delight,
When the elegant Visitor came within sight.
_He_, of course, was receiv'd with respect most profound;
And her Ladyship curtsied quite down to the ground.
The PARROT was likewise made welcome, _surtout_,
By that pink of all fashion, _La belle_ COCKATOO;
While his little smart Cousin, the gay PEROQUET, [p 15]
Declar'd that the party was now quite complete.

[Illustration: _"A poor captive Starling who liv'd near the road." p. 14._]

The most exquisite dainties the Spring wou'd afford,
Arrang'd with much taste, soon appear'd on the board;
And when breakfast was over, the PEACOCK arose,
His plans and his triumph at once to disclose.
His magnificent train he now rais'd from the ground,
Spread its glories to view; and then flourishing round,
Deliver'd the Poem, with great exultation,
And caus'd in the circle no small agitation.
Baron STORK[2] and the fair DEMOISELLE were delighted;
While some, less distinguish'd, conceiv'd themselves slighted:
The SPARROW was most opportunely engag'd,
Or _he_ wou'd have been beyond all bounds enrag'd.

However, the Author not one could divine, [p 16]
Tho' they ponder'd, and ponder'd, at every line:
And all only serving to puzzle them more,
SIR ARGUS continued as wise as before.
Distracted, he knew not well whither to go,
This last disappointment afflicted him so;
But at length, on reflection, thought only one fowl
Cou'd have sense to inform him, and that was the OWL.
To _her_ he resolv'd, then, a visit to make,
And her Supper, the following night, to partake.

In the meanwhile, the PARROT with quickness rehearses,
Again, and again, the most charming of verses.
Smart things fly about; Repartees, and Bon-Mots,
With too many _secrets_ that _all the world knows_:
Old Anecdotes came on the _tapis_, new drest,
And season'd with Satire, to give them a zest.
But the COUNTESS was shock'd! and declar'd with much feeling, [p 17]
"_She_ hated the faults of her neighbour revealing.
Detraction, of late, had been full of employment,
And truly, _some_ folks knew no other enjoyment.