ll the eyes in my tail?
So a Fete I will give, and my taste I'll display,
And send out my cards for St. Valentine's Day."
--This determin'd, six fleet Carrier-pigeons went out,
To invite all the birds to Sir Argus's Rout.
The nest-loving TURTLE-DOVE sent an excuse;
DAME PARTLET lay in, as did good Mrs. GOOSE.
The TURKEY, poor soul! was confined to the rip:
For all her young brood had just fail'd with the pip.
The PARTRIDGE was ask'd; but a Neighbour hard by
Had engag'd a snug party to meet in a Pye;
And the WHEAT-EAR declin'd recollecting her Cousins,
Last year, to a feast were invited by dozens,
But, alas! they return'd not; and she had no taste [p 5]
To appear in a costume of vine-leaves or paste.
The WOODCOCK preferr'd his lone haunt on the moor;
And the Traveller, SWALLOW, was still on his tour.
While the CUCKOO, who should have been one of the guests
Was rambling on visits to other Birds' Nests.

[Illustration: "Such ruffling of feathers, such pruning of coats, &c."
_Page 5._]

But the rest all accepted the kind invitation,
And much bustle it caused in the plumed creation:
Such ruffling of feathers, such pruning of coats;
Such chirping, such whistling, such clearing of throats;
Such polishing bills and such oiling of pinions
Had never been known in the biped dominions.
The TAYLOR BIRD offer'd to make up new clothes
For all the young Birdlings, who wish'd to be Beaux:
He made for the ROBIN a doublet of red,
And a new velvet cap for the GOLDFINCH'S head;
He added a plume to the WREN'S golden crest,
And spangled with silver the GUINEA-FOWL'S breast;
While the HALCYON bent over the streamlet to view,
How pretty she look'd in her boddice of blue!
Thus adorn'd, they set off for the Peacock's abode, [p 6]
With the Guide INDICATOR, who show'd them the road:
From all points of the compass, flock'd Birds of all feather;
And the PARROT can tell who and who were together.
There was Lord CASSOWARY and General FLAMINGO,
And Don PEROQUETO, escap'd from Domingo;
From his high rock built eyrie the EAGLE came forth,
And the Duchess of PTARMIGAN flew from the North.
The GREBE and the EIDER DUCK came up by water,
With the SWAN, who brought out the young CYGNET, her daughter.
From his woodland abode came the PHEASANT to meet
Two kindred, arrived by the last India fleet;
The one, like a Nabob, in habit most sp