Benjamin Britten — Winter Words Op. 52: 3. Wagtail and Baby A Satire

A baby watched a ford, whereto A wagtail came for drinking; A blaring bull went wading through The wagtail showed no shrinking A stallion splashed his way across The birdie nearly sinking; He gave his plumes a twitch and toss And held his own unblinking Next saw the baby round the spot A mongrel slowly slinking; The wagtail gazed, but faltered not In dip and sip and prinking A perfect gentleman then neared; The wagtail, in a winking With terror rose and disappeared; The baby fell a-thinking