THE DRAGON OP THE POOL 49 



with light and his dingy skin cracks down the 

 back. Gradually the shoulders, the head, and 

 the legs of the insect are pushed through the 

 crack, and then with a final effort the long 

 hind body is drawn from, the old skin and the 

 Dragon-fly is free. 



But he looks very unlike the gorgeous, 

 glittering insect we expected to see. Pale, 

 limp, and crumpled, he hangs from the plant 

 almost as if he were dead. 



But wait ! As he rests the Dragon-fly is 

 gaining strength. As the sun shines upon him, 

 the crumpled wings unfold, all the beautiful 

 colours gradually appear, and soon he clings 

 to the plant in all his splendour. For a little 

 while longer he rests, while his lovely wings 

 grow dry and firm. Then, like a flash of light, 

 he darts aloft the Dragon-fly has gone ! 



" To-day I saw the dragon-fly 

 Come from the wells where he did lie. 



An inner impulse rent the veil 

 Of his old husk, from head to tail 

 Came out clear plates of sapphire mail. 



He dried his wings : like gauze they grew ; 

 Thro' crofts and pastures wet with dew 

 A living flash of light he flew." 



