The Bird Of Paradise

Here comes Kate Summers, who, for gold, Takes any man to bed: "You knew my friend, Nell Barnes," she said; "You knew Nell Barnes—she's dead. "Nell Barnes was bad on all you men, Unclean, a thief as well; Yet all my life I have not found A better friend than Nell. "So I sat at her side at last, For hours, till she was dead; And yet she had no sense at all Of any word I said. "For all her cry but came to this— 'Not for the world! Take care: Don't touch that bird of paradise, Perched on the bed-post there!' "I asked her would she like some grapes, Some damsons ripe and sweet; A custard made with new-laid eggs, Or tender fowl to eat. "I promised I would follow her, To see her in her grave; And buy a wreath with borrowed pence, If nothing I could save. "Yet still her cry but came to this— 'Not for the world! Take care: Don't touch that bird of paradise, Perched on the bed-post there!'"