41 8 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. X. 



The feet on which it stood were stout, 



The sides were stiffly barred 

 With angles like a Siege-Redoubt ; 



And it was very hard. 



The wise Professor tried to take 



Possession of his Chair ; 

 But every bone was like to break, 



Though he sat down with care. 

 " Take back thy gift, oh, Queen of might ! 



Take back thy gift, I say, 

 I cannot sleep a wink by night, 



And cannot rest by day." 

 " Nay ! I will not take back from thee 



My gift," the monarch said ; 

 " Go, ask from other queens than me, 



A cushion for thy head." 

 * * * * 



Beside the Clyde's far western shore, 



There lived a gentle fairy ; 

 Queen Mima was the name she bore ; 



She sang like a canary. 



Into a Blackbird she could turn, 



Whene'er she had the will ; 

 And all the singing birds would burn 



With envy at her skill. 



To her the sad Professor 



Addressed his mournful prayer, 

 " Lady, be Redresser 



Of this so wrongful chair !" 



No sooner had the fairy heard, 



Than she began to sing, 

 " Come hither, every bird 



That soars upon the wing." 



The birds of every feather 



Came trooping o'er the sea : 

 " 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-wiuged falcons, jjerch 



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. 



