148
INHOSPITALITY.
Where the boats before the house-door
Are drawn up from the tide,
On the tallest prow he settles,
And furls his wings so wide.
Are drawn up from the tide,
On the tallest prow he settles,
And furls his wings so wide.
Uprises the elder brother,
Uprises the sister too;
"Nay, brother, he comes for shelter!
Spare him! What would you do?"
Uprises the sister too;
"Nay, brother, he comes for shelter!
Spare him! What would you do?"
He laughs and is gone for his rifle,
And steadily takes his aim:
But the wild wind seizes his yellow beard,
And blows it about like flame.
And steadily takes his aim:
But the wild wind seizes his yellow beard,
And blows it about like flame.
Into his eyes the snow sifts,
Till he cannot see aright:
Ah, the cruel gun is baffled!
And the weary hawk takes flight;
Till he cannot see aright:
Ah, the cruel gun is baffled!
And the weary hawk takes flight;
And slowly up he circles,
Higher and higher still;
The fierce wind catches and bears him away
O'er the bleak crest of the hill.
Higher and higher still;
The fierce wind catches and bears him away
O'er the bleak crest of the hill.
