Part 7 (1/2)

Where the dark green hollows lift Into crests of snow, Wheeling, flas.h.i.+ng, floating by, White against the stormy sky, With exultant call and cry Swift the sea-gulls go.

Fearless, vagabond and free, Children of the spray, Spirits of old mariners Drifting down the restless years-- Drake's and Hawkins' buccaneers, So do sea-men say.

Watching, guarding, sailing still Round the sh.o.r.es they knew, Where the cliffs of Devon rise Red against the sullen skies, (Dearer far than Paradise) 'Mid the tossing blue.

Not for them the heavenly song; Sweeter still they find Than those angels, row on row, Thunder of the bursting snow Seething on the rocks below, Singing of the wind.

Fairer than the streets of gold Those wild fields of foam, Where the horses of the sea Stamp and whinny ceaselessly, Warding from all enemy Sh.o.r.es they once called home.

So the sea-gulls call and cry 'Neath the cliffs to-day, Spirits of old mariners Drifting down the restless years-- Drake's and Hawkins' buccaneers-- So do sea-men say.

MY DOG AND I

My dog and I, the hills we know Where the first faint wild roses blow, We know the shadowy paths and cool That wind across the woodland dim, And where the water beetles swim Upon the surface of the pool.

My dog and I, our feet brush through Full oft, the fragrant morning dew, Or, when the summer sun is high, We linger where the river flows Chattering and chuckling as it goes-- Two happy tramps, my dog and I.

Or, when the winter snows are deep, Into some fire-lit nook we creep, And, while the north wind howls outside, See castles in the dancing blaze, Or, dozing, dream of summer days And woodland stretches, wild and wide.

My dog and I are friends till death, And when the chill, dark angel's breath Shall call him from me, still I know, Somewhere within the shadowy land Waiting his master he will stand Until my summons comes to go.

And, in that life so strange and new, We'll tramp the fields of heaven through, Loiter the crystal river by; Together walk the hills of G.o.d As when the hills of earth we trod, Forever friends, my dog and I.

SNOWDROPS

February fair maids, All along the lane, Dancing with the breezes, Nodding to the rain, Whispering tales of Springtime Through the snow and sleet, February fair maids, Brave and bright and sweet.

February fair maids, Soon you'll disappear, Soon the swallow's twitter Tells that Spring is here.

Soon the rose and lily Laugh 'neath skies of blue-- February fair maids, None so brave as you.

February fair maids, Dancing down the lane, Bowing to the breezes, Smiling at the rain, Lifting laughing faces Through the snow and sleet-- February fair maids, Brave and bright and sweet.

SPRING

Lo, the spring has come again!

Down the lane Silent, first, the snowdrop came; Green each bursting leaf-bud swells In the dells Where the crocus breaks in flame.

Spring, with all the daffodils On her hills, Comes and wakes the world to mirth: List with what reverberant glee Streams set free Tell their triumph to the earth.