1 



THE KING-FISHER 



len midsummer sun burns fierce as flame 

 om dawn till eve in the sky, 

 ime down with me to the rocky vale 



re the river glide's softly by 

 id under the shade of the willow trees 

 The fishes in quiet lie. 



the sleepv shadows that fringe the stream, 

 e horehound and woodbine spring, 

 id hid in the herbage green and cool, 

 ere nestles a wondrous thing 

 That darts like a fairy arrow sped 

 1 a green and azure wing. 



s wing just ruffles the glossy wave, 

 1 he skims o'er the placid stream ; 

 hold him, splendid in dazzling blue, 

 t up by the noontide beam 1 

 he would but stay ! but he vanishes, 

 swift ;is n passing dream. 



■Yi/JfpT-. I 



