THE BURGOMASTER GULL.
159
The black ducks gather, with plumes so rich,
And the coots in twinkling lines;
And the swift and slender water-witch,
Whose neck like silver shines;
And the coots in twinkling lines;
And the swift and slender water-witch,
Whose neck like silver shines;
Big eider-ducks, with their caps pale green
And their salmon-colored vests;
And gay mergansers sailing between,
With their long and glittering crests.
And their salmon-colored vests;
And gay mergansers sailing between,
With their long and glittering crests.
But the loon aloof on the outer edge
Of the noisy meeting keeps,
And laughs to watch them behind the ledge
Where the lazy breaker sweeps.
Of the noisy meeting keeps,
And laughs to watch them behind the ledge
Where the lazy breaker sweeps.
They scream and wheel, and dive and fret,
And flutter in the foam;
And fish and mussels blue they get
To feed their young at home:
And flutter in the foam;
And fish and mussels blue they get
To feed their young at home:
Till hurrying in, the little auk
Brings tidings that benumbs,
And stops at once their clamorous talk,—
"The Burgomaster comes!"
Brings tidings that benumbs,
And stops at once their clamorous talk,—
"The Burgomaster comes!"
