Part 61

Whether by day abducted, Or emptied by the sun Into the sea, in passing, Eternally unknown.

XVIII.

THE WOODPECKER.

His bill an auger is, His head, a cap and frill. He laboreth at every tree, -- A worm his utmost goal.

XIX.

A SNAKE.

Sweet is the swamp with its secrets, Until we meet a snake; 'T is then we sigh for houses, And our departure take At that enthralling gallop That only childhood knows. A snake is summer's treason, And guile is where it goes.

XX.

Could I but ride indefinite, As doth the meadow-bee, And visit only where I liked, And no man visit me,

And flirt all day with buttercups, And marry whom I may, And dwell a little everywhere, Or better, run away

With no police to follow, Or chase me if I do, Till I should jump peninsulas To get away from you, --

I said, but just to be a bee Upon a raft of air, And row in nowhere all day long, And anchor off the bar,-- What liberty! So captives deem Who tight in dungeons are.

XXI.

THE MOON.

The moon was but a chin of gold A night or two ago, And now she turns her perfect face Upon the world below.

Her forehead is of amplest blond; Her cheek like beryl stone; Her eye unto the summer dew The likest I have known.

Her lips of amber never part; But what must be the smile Upon her friend she could bestow Were such her silver will!

And what a privilege to be But the remotest star! For certainly her way might pass Beside your twinkling door.

Her bonnet is the firmament, The universe her shoe, The stars the trinkets at her belt, Her dimities of blue.

XXII.

THE BAT.

The bat is dun with wrinkled wings Like fallow article, And not a song pervades his lips, Or none perceptible.

His small umbrella, quaintly halved, Describing in the air An arc alike inscrutable, -- Elate philosopher!

Deputed from what firmament Of what astute abode, Empowered with what malevolence Auspiciously withheld.

To his adroit Creator Ascribe no less the praise; Beneficent, believe me, His eccentricities.

XXIII.

THE BALLOON.

You've seen balloons set, haven't you? So stately they ascend It is as swans discarded you For duties diamond.