THE BAT.

Thou dread, uncanny thing,

With fuzzy breast and leathern wing,

In mad, zigzagging flight,

Notching the dusk, and buffeting

The black cheeks of the night,

With grim delight!

What witch's hand unhasps

Thy keen claw-cornered wings

From under the barn roof, and flings

Thee forth, with chattering gasps,

To scud the air,

And nip the lady-bug, and tear

Her children's hearts out unaware?

The glow-worm's glimmer, and the bright,

Sad pulsings of the fire-fly's light,

Are banquet lights to thee.

O less than bird, and worse than beast,

Thou Devil's self, or brat, at least,

Grate not thy teeth at me!