THE LITTLE BROWN BAT

Quoth the little brown bat: “I rise with the owl,—

Wisest and best of the feathered fowl;

Let other folks rise, if they will, with the lark,

And be early and bright — I am early and dark!”

Quoth the little brown bat: “I'm awake and up,

When the night-moth sips from the lily's white cup;

While the firefly lanterns are searching the sky,

I am glancing about, with fiery eye!”

Quoth the little brown bat: “The night has its noon

As well as its day — and I'm friends with the moon.

Many a secret she tells me alone,

Which never a bird or a bee has known!”

Quoth the little brown bat: “There is house-room for me,

When the winter comes, in some hollow tree;

Or under barn eaves, near the fragrant hay,

I sleep the dull winter hours away.”