La cigale

I found him limping in the grass --

Poor little shivering fellow!

He had not many days, alas!

For all the leaves were yellow.

I took him in beside the stove,

And fed him beads of honey,

And brought a brother-singer's love --

He never asked for money.

And soon he gave a chirp or two,

And seemed quite brave and jolly;

And, as he sipped his golden brew,

Sang -- "Down with melancholy!"