[
Translation
]
3.
THE
CRICKET
.
1.
LITTLE
inmate
,
full
of
mirth
,
Chirping
on
my
kitchen
hearth
;
Wheresoe'er
be
thine
abode
,
Always
harbinger
of
good
,
Pay
me
for
thy
warm
retreat
,
With
a
song
more
soft
and
sweet
,
In
return
thou
shalt
receive
Such
a
strain
as
I
can
give
.
2.
Thus
thy
praise
shall
be
exprest
,
Inoffensive
,
welcome
guest
!
While
the
rat
is
on
the
scout
,
And
the
mouse
with
curious
snout
,
With
what
vermin
else
infest
Every
dish
and
spoil
the
best
;
Frisking
thus
before
the
fire
,
Thou
hast
all
thine
heart's
desire
.
3.
Though
in
voice
and
shape
they
be
Form'd
as
if
akin
to
thee
,
Thou
surpassest
,
happier
far
,
Happiest
grasshoppers
that
are
,
Theirs
is
but
a
summer's
song
,
Thine
endures
the
winter
long
,
Unimpair'd
and
shrill
and
clear
,
Melody
throughout
the
year
.
4.
Neither
night
nor
dawn
of
day
,
Puts
a
period
to
thy
play
,
Sing
then
—
and
extend
thy
span
Far
beyond
the
date
of
man
—
Wretched
man
,
whose
years
are
spent
In
repining
discontent
;
Lives
not
,
aged
tho'
he
be
,
Half
a
span
compar'd
with
thee
.