28 JUNE 1930, Page 13

The Cockerel Knells

LISTEN! These little cockerels

That ring from hill to hill like bells,

In spring when violets sweeten the grass—

What they say will come to pass.

What do they say, what do they know This cock-a-brat-oral crow Of little red and yellow cocks, Is it aught but farmers' clocks ?

Farmers' clocks and ploughmen's bells— These little sunrise cockerels Sing another song for one

That greets no more the gold of the SUB-.*

But what they say none other hears Till at the close of numbered years In the dark morning he too lies Still at their cock-a-loral cries. H. M.