[printed Christmas greeting, not manuscript]
[printed heading of a large ‘H’ in style of medieval MS; ‘Merry Christmas’ in black-letter style; blackbird, mistletoe and holly]
The Robin
Who would fancy this December,
Now the sun is shining bright,
For last year I well remember
How the snow lay cold and white;
All around ’twas lying coldly,
And so silently it fell
That poor Robin ventured boldly,
On the sill his wants to tell.
Now I hear him in the laurels,
Chant his morning hymn so sweet,
Whilst the holly shows its corals
For his promised Christmas treat.
I am sure he still remembers
All the crumbs we gave last year,
And will many more Decembers
Ask from us his Christmas Cheer.
Jack.
Dec. 24th 1868.
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr.
Dabton
Thornhill - N. B.