" O come and be my mate! " said the Eagle to the Hen;
" I love to soar, but then
I want my mate to rest
Forever in the nest! "
Said the Hen, " I cannot fly,
I have no wish to try,
But I joy to see my mate careering through the sky! "
They wed, and cried, " Ah, this is Love, my own! "
And the Hen sat, the Eagle soared, alone.

" O come and be my mate! " said the Lion to the Sheep;
" My love for you is deep!
I slay, a Lion should,
But you are mild and good! "
Said the Sheep, " I do no ill —
Could not, had I the will —
But I joy to see my mate pursue, devour, and kill. "
They wed, and cried, " Ah, this is Love, my own! "
And the Sheep browsed, the Lion prowled, alone.

" O come and be my mate! " said the Salmon to the Clam;
" You are not wise, but I am.
I know sea and stream as well;
You know nothing but your shell. "
Said the Clam, " I'm slow of motion,
But my love is all devotion,
And I joy to have my mate traverse lake and stream and ocean! "
They wed, and cried, " Ah, this is Love, my own! "
And the Clam sucked, the Salmon swam, alone.