Cherries

Under the trees, the farmer said,

Smiling and shaking his wise old head:

"Cherries are ripe! but then, you know,

There's the grass to cut and the corn to hoe;

We can gather the cherries any day,

But when the sun shines we must make our hay;

To-night, when the work has all been done,

We'll muster the boys, for fruit and fun."

Up on the tree a robin said,

Perking and cocking his saucy head,

"Cherries are ripe! and so to-day

We'll gather them while you make the hay;

For we are the boys with no corn to hoe,

No cows to milk, and no grass to mow."

At night the farmer said: "Here's a trick

These roguish robins have had their pick."