THE CRICKET.

O the gayest of musicians! O the gladdest thing on earth,

With its piping and its chirping, is the cricket on the hearth!

There is magic in the music that he flings us with such zest:

“Love's the only wealth that's lasting — who cares aught for all the rest?

Never mind though ill-luck dog you, never mind though times are hard,

Have you not the wife and bairns?” chirps the sweet, insistent bard —

Chirps and chirps, until you heed him, till your heart is all aglow —

“Love's the only wealth that's lasting, home's a bit of heaven below.”

O the gayest of musicians! O the gladdest thing on earth,

With his piping and his chirping, is the cricket on the hearth!