 | The Burdens of Belief and Other Poems |  |
71
ON A RING-PLOVER
FOUND DEAD IN THE ISLAND OF TIREE, AUGUST, 1884
In a hollow of the dunes
Its wings were closed in rest,
And the florets of the eyebright
Stood guard around its breast.
Its wings were closed in rest,
And the florets of the eyebright
Stood guard around its breast.
The glorious light and sun
Were on it where it lay;
And the sound of ocean murmurs
Passed o'er it from the bay.
Were on it where it lay;
And the sound of ocean murmurs
Passed o'er it from the bay.
No more its easy pinions
Would gleam along the sand,
No more, in glancing courses,
Sweep all the pleasant land.
Would gleam along the sand,
No more, in glancing courses,
Sweep all the pleasant land.
No more its tuneful whistle
Would mingle with the surf:
Its busy feet were idle—
Once nimble on the turf.
Would mingle with the surf:
Its busy feet were idle—
Once nimble on the turf.
72
No ruffle marred its plumage,
No struggle stretched its head,
It lay in perfect slumber—
The happiest of the dead.
No struggle stretched its head,
It lay in perfect slumber—
The happiest of the dead.
So could I wish that Death
Would make his lair for me
Among the list'ning pastures
And margins of the Sea.
Would make his lair for me
Among the list'ning pastures
And margins of the Sea.
| The Burdens of Belief and Other Poems | |