Tree with a Bird in it — The Roiling of Henry by Henry van Dyke

And Thou, O bird of emeraldine beak and brow, Thou sawest it all, and did not even cackle, Grackle!

_Henry van Dyke_ (Who, although for different reasons, did not care for the Grackle either.

) THE ROILING OF HENRY

(A Song of the Grating Outdoors) Bird, thou art not a Veery, Nor yet a Yellowthroat, Ne'erless, I knew thy gentle song, Long, long e'er I could vote;

Thou art not a Blue Flower, Nor e'en a real Blue Bird;

Yet there's a moral high and pure In all thy likings heard: "_Grack-grack-grack-grack-grack-grack--_ _Go on and ne'er look back!

_" The noble tow'rs of Princeton Hear high thy pensive trill, And eke my ear has heard thee The while I fished the rill;

Thy note rings out at daybreak Before I rise to toil;

Thou counselest Persistence;

Thy song no stone can spoil;

"_Grack-grack-grack-grack-grack-grack--_ _Go on and ne'er look back!

_" Yet, Bird, there is a limit To all I've undergone;

From five o'clock till five o'clock Thou'st chanted o'er my lawn;

I cannot get my work done ...

I give thee, Bird, advice;

If thou wouldst save thy skin alive, Let me not warn thee twice, "_Grack-grack-grack-grack-grack-grack--_ _Go on and ne'er look back!

_"