284 SEPTEMBER. 



other marine animals pursue their prey in the 

 crannies of the rocks, and sea-plants spread their 

 limber fronds in gay and gaudy irregularity, while 

 the most beautiful fishes are on every side sporting 

 around. 



The floor is of sand, like the mountain-drift, 



And the pearl-shells spangle the flinty snow ; 

 From coral rocks the sea-plants lift 



Their boughs, where the tides and billows flow ; 

 The water is calm and still below, 



For the winds and waves are absent there ; 

 And the sands are bright as the stars that glow 



In the motionless fields of the upper air. 

 There, with its waving blade of green, 



The sea-flag streams through the silent water, 

 And the crimson leaf of the dulse is seen 



To blush like a banner bathed in slaughter ; 

 There with a light and easy motion 



The fan-coral sweeps through the clear deep sea ; 

 And the yellow and scarlet tufts of ocean 



Are bending like corn on the upland lea ; 

 And life in rare and beautiful forms 



Is sporting amid those bowers of stone, 

 And is safe when the wrathful spirit of storms 



Has made the top of the waves his own. 

 And when the ship from his fury flies 



Where the myriad voices of ocean roar, 

 When the wind-god frowns in the murky skies, 



And demons are waiting the wreck on shore, 

 Then far below in the peaceful sea 



The purple mullet and gold-fish rove, 

 Where the waters murmur tranquilly 



Through the bending twigs of the coral-grove. 



PERCIVAL. 



RURAL OCCUPATIONS. 



Finishing corn-harvest and thatching ricks ; lay- 



