Page:Morning-Glories and Other Stories.djvu/179

"Peep! Peep! Peep!" we say,
   Brooding there on high,—
Sea-weed beneath us.
   Above us the sky.

Oh! happy is the life
   of a beach-bird free,
Playing our blithe games
   By the sounding sea.
High o'er the billows,
   In gay flocks we sail.
Kissed by the cool spray,
   Ruffled by the gale,
Watching the great ships
   As onward they glide,
Like white-winged birds,
   O'er the restless tide.
"Peep! Peep! Peep!" we say,
   Dancing in the sun,
Where no harm can reach
   From storm, dog, or gun.

Oh! merry is the life
   Of a beach-bird free;
Few griefs molest us
   By the sounding sea.
If rude winds destroy
   Our nests built with care,
Patiently we work
   The loss to repair;
If chilled by the gust,
   Or wet by the rain,
We do not fret, but
   Wait for sun again.
"Peep! Peep! Peep!" we say.
   Where'er we may be;
Which means, little child,
   "Hurrah for the sea!"