III
30 lines✦
THUS THE MAYNE GLIDETH" Thus the Mayne glideth 90Where my Love abideth.Sleep's no softer; it proceedsOn through lawns, on through meads,On and on, whate'er befall,Meandering and musical, 95Though the niggard pasturageBears not on its shaven ledgeAught but weeds and waving grassesTo view the river as it passes,Save here and there a scanty patch 100Of primroses too faint to catchA weary bee.And scarce it pushesIts gentle way through strangling rushesWhere the glossy kingfisherFlutters when noon-heats are near, 105Glad the shelving banks to shun,Red and steaming in the sun,Where the shrew-mouse with pale throatBurrows, and the speckled stoat;Where the quick sandpipers flit 110In and out the marl and gritThat seems to breed them, brown as they.Naught disturbs its quiet way,Save some lazy stork that springs,Trailing it with legs and wings, 115Whom the shy fox from the hillRouses, creep he ne'er so still.
✦