46 The Poets and Nature. 



the deer's " hanging of his old head on the pale." Says 

 Somerville : 



" Brisk as a snake in merry May 

 That just had cast his slough nway." 



And Montgomery : 



" The serpent flings his slough away 

 And shines in Orient colours dight, 

 A flexile ray of living light." 



Whether or not these reptiles exercise a fascinating in- 

 fluence over other creatures is still an undecided point. 

 But antiquity held that they could charm with the eye ; and 

 the bird spellbound by the snake has passed into an 

 accepted metaphor. In verse its occurs abundantly : 



" It was vain to hold the victim, 



For he plunged to meet her call, 

 Like the bird that shrieks and flutters 



In the gazing serpent's thrall." Campbell. 



" As the snake's magnetic glare 

 Charms the flitting tribes of air, 

 Till the dire enchantment draws 

 Destined victims to his jaws." Montgomery. 



Like the bird whose pinions quake, 



But cannot fly the gazing snake." Byron. 



" Thou'lt fly? As easily may victims run 

 The gaunt snake hath once fixed eyes upon ; 

 As easily, when caught, the prey may be 

 Plucked from his loving folds as thou from me." Moore. 



" This cold and creeping kinsman who so long 

 Kept his eye on me, as the snake upon 

 The fluttering bird. " Byron. 



Of their personal beauty the poets draw an almost 

 exaggerated picture. Wondrous as the elegance and adorn- 



