Peopled are by singing thrushes,— From whose throats a chorus rushes, Note the Forest’s charms! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Now within the garden grand A great Summerhouse did stand; And its doors were very wide and extra high; For within it, tree-ferns tall, Spread their fronds from wall to wall, And so thickly, that they quite shut out the sky. This, the stars banked up with flowers— Culled from all the aerial bowers That behind the clouds are hid from mortal sight! And they then with loving care Decked the whole with colours rare, Brought to beauty by their own resplendent light! Viands, too, they brought and spread On a table that with bread And all delicatest dainties was agleam! This they did, that guests to leave, Might, ere going, each receive From the hostess Queen a gift on which to dream! In the meantime, there was sent Through the garden’s wide extent,— A most kindly note to all who therein delve, To attend an evening Fete, When the Moon, in robes of State, Would receive and entertain them, just at twelve! Then excitement grew intense, For a problem so immense Had not ever met the garden folk before! How were they to meet the Queen, Who, ere this, had not been seen, Save above them, as a Goddess to adore? Who among them all should lead? What new dresses would they need? Would they want an introduction, or just pass Like the troops upon parade When a demonstration’s made, And the King himself reviews them in the mass; These, and nicer questions all, At a Conference or Call, In discussion, were determined and agreed! So it fell that at long last, All their worries overpast, There was nought to do save gather and proceed! But talk about a clatter! Speak about a row! Why a Black’s Corroboree, Or an Indian Pow-Wow Are as nothing, Simply nothing, To the rattle and the roar That all other sounds defied,— When the guests began to pour Through the gate At a rate That a shepherd could not state If to count them he had tried! For, like little Dolly Varden, All the dwellers in the garden, All the beetles and the other tiny things; All the spiders and the aphis, With the “Kooka,” and the Mavis, Came a-hopping and a-flopping On their little legs and wings! And the cries that they emitted! Made one think that they were fitted For a Zoo, Perhaps two!— By the way they carried on! But to silence all were bidden, When from out the cornflowers hidden Came a Mantis, with his hands outspread and high; And in tones that each could hear, Full and round, yet sweet and clear, Simply cried: “Stand aside!