Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile By H. D. Rawnsley |
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| XXX. |
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| XXXVII. |
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| XXXIX. |
| XL. | XL PADDY-BIRDS |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIV. |
| XLV. |
| XLVI. |
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| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
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| LI. |
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| LIX. |
| LX. |
| LXI. |
| LXII. |
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| LXIV. |
 | Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile |  |
84
XL PADDY-BIRDS
In the spring, with a lovelier skin
Leaps and shines the gazelle;
That the spring gives grace to the blood
Even a camel can tell.
Leaps and shines the gazelle;
That the spring gives grace to the blood
Even a camel can tell.
The swallow is redder of chin,
More golden the hoopoe's crest,
The kingfisher, poised on the flood,
Darts with a brighter breast.
More golden the hoopoe's crest,
The kingfisher, poised on the flood,
Darts with a brighter breast.
But for you, white friends of the plough,
Beloved of the child with the goat,
Unhurt by the hinds of the farm,
And blest by the men of the boat.
Beloved of the child with the goat,
Unhurt by the hinds of the farm,
And blest by the men of the boat.
For you, with your breasts of snow,
No change in the spring is seen,
White when the harvest is warm,
White when the corn is green.
No change in the spring is seen,
White when the harvest is warm,
White when the corn is green.
85
Are ye spirits of good and of just,
Redeemed in the Hall of Truth,
Sent back to a sad, old earth,
With the joy of an innocent youth?
Redeemed in the Hall of Truth,
Sent back to a sad, old earth,
With the joy of an innocent youth?
Bright souls, unsullied by lust,
As angels, back have ye come
To the darkened land of your birth,
With the light of a purer home?
As angels, back have ye come
To the darkened land of your birth,
With the light of a purer home?
| Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile | |