Charles Lamb

Crumbs to the Birds

A bird appears a thoughtless thing,

He's ever living on the wing,

And keeps up such a carolling,

That little else to do but sing

A man would guess had he.


No doubt he has his little cares,

And very hard he often fares,

The which so patiently he bears,

That, list'ning to those cheerful airs,

Who knows but he may be


In want of his next meal of seeds?

I think for that his sweet song pleads.

If so, his pretty art succeeds.

I'll scatter there among the weeds

All the small crumbs I see.