A small, pretty bird

A small, pretty bird

took flight

into the garden -

there was fruit enough there.

If I were a pretty,

small bird,

I would not hesitate -

I would do just as he did.

Malicious lime-twigs

lurked in that place;

the poor bird

could not escape.

If I were a pretty,

small bird,

I would have hesitated,

I would not have done that.

The bird came

into a pretty girl's hand,

and it caused him no pain,

the lucky thing.

If I were a pretty,

small bird,

I would not hesitate --

I would do just as he did.