The Robin's my Criterion for Tune－1
Because I grow－where Robins do－
But, were I Cuckoo born－
I'd swear by him－
The ode familiar－rules the Noon－5
The Buttercup's, my Whim for Bloom－
Because, we're Orchard sprung－
But, were I Britain born,
I'd Daisies spurn－
None but the Nut－October fit－10
Because, through dropping it,
The Seasons flit－I'm taught－
Without the Snow's Tableau
Winter, were lie－to me－
Because I see－New Englandly－15
The Queen, discerns like me－
Provincially－
Because I grow－where Robins do－
But, were I Cuckoo born－
I'd swear by him－
The ode familiar－rules the Noon－5
The Buttercup's, my Whim for Bloom－
Because, we're Orchard sprung－
But, were I Britain born,
I'd Daisies spurn－
None but the Nut－October fit－10
Because, through dropping it,
The Seasons flit－I'm taught－
Without the Snow's Tableau
Winter, were lie－to me－
Because I see－New Englandly－15
The Queen, discerns like me－
Provincially－
(F.256/J.285)
[1, 2] Robin:: a hint that "I" is a bird similar to robin.
[7] Orchard:: orchard oriole.
[8] were I Britain born:: orchard oriole is a North American oriole.
Orchard Oriole. This bird has been described under a variety of names; as the spurious oriole, bastard oriole . . . Many mistakes have been occasioned by the change of color which thee birds undergo, as they do not receive their full and perfect plumage till the fourth year. ─ The Naturalist's Library (1857)