284 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. X. 



The birds of every feather 



Came trooping o'er the sea : 

 " O lady, tell us whether 



We can do aught for thee ! " 



" Ye tawny eagles, stretch 



Your pinions to the sun, 

 And from Golconda fetch 



Diamonds ere the day is done. 



" Ye swift- winged falcons, perch 



Upon the highest hills, 

 And with your keen eyes search 



For gems among the rills. 



"Ye wandering swallows, fleet 



To far Australia's shore ; 

 And ere the night and morning meet 



Bring back its golden ore. 



"And you, ye stately sea-birds, wing 



Your way o'er Indian waves, 

 And precious pearls and corals bring, 



Plucked from the ocean caves." 



She waved her hand : away they flew. 



She waved her hand, and lo ! with gems 

 And gold returned the busy crew, 



Fit for a thousand diadems. 



With wondrous skill, and magic powers, 

 She strung the pearls and wove the gold, 



And changed the gems to buds and flowers, 

 Which never will grow old. 



These magic flowers she made to grow 



Upon a cushion soft as air, 

 Full of the down as white as snow, 



Which swans upon their bosoms bear. 



And just as the Professor 



Had almost ceased to sigh, 

 And seeing no Redresser, 



Had laid him down to die. 



