American Female Poets [an electronic edition]

THE LITTLE BIRD THAT TOLD THE SECRET.

So I've heard your secret, Mabel, I've heard it, my little maid, And you're going to do a silly thing I am very much afraid.

You're going to marry the miller, And live beside the mill! But the miller, they say, is an idle man, And often his wheel stands still.

And they say he is growing careless, And spends the livelong day In gazing over the shining stream At a cottage across the way.

And they say he is wild and wilful, — So prithee, my Mabel, dear, Don't give your hand to the miller, If all is true that I hear.

Who says he is idle, Bessie? And wild and wilful, too? If ever it come to the miller's ears, They may find it cause to rue.

And who told you this mighty secret? You need not think 't is so; A body may walk with a quiet man, Yet never to church may go.

I should like to see the lassie Who told you the silly jest; As if I would part with my secret, For a ring and a wedding vest.

You need not deny it, Mabel, 'Twas a little bird who came But now with the wondrous story, And told unto me the same.

I mark'd the gleam of his crimson breast, As he flitted across your cheek; And the rapid flash of his darting wing In your eye, when you did speak.

You're dreaming, Bessie, you're dreaming, No talking birds have we; And I would not whisper the matter, I'm sure, to a bird on the tree;

And never a wing came flitting Across my cheek or eye — So, Bessie, you must be dreaming, With all this mystery.

Ah! Mabel; you may dissemble With duller folks, I ween, But you cannot still the music Of the little bird I mean.

He hath his nest in your gentle breast, And a tell-tale bird is he, For I mark'd the flush of his crimson coat On your cheek too easily.

And when I told you the miller Was a wild and wilful man, The bird flew out at your flashing eye As only a fairy can.

And I knew, by your hasty speaking In such an earnest way, That you cared for the honest miller Much more than you choose to say.

So what I but guess'd, my Mabel, The bird hath told at will, That you're going to marry the miller, And live beside the mill.