THE NORTHERN DIVER. 



Wild Diver of the Northern Seas, 



You're welcome to our Firth; 

 Here may you plunge and play at ease ; 



Here fish and find no dearth. 



Though toward the East the light cloud scuds, 



The frost has lent an edge 

 Even to the West, and seal'd the buds 



On tree and bush and hedge. 



And yet on this, our shortest day. 



The Spring-time lies so near, 

 A sweet surmise of coming May 



Speaks both to eye and ear. 



Like scatter'd sparks upon the whins 



The yellow blossoms stand; 

 The lark with lisping note begins 



To hint that Spring's at hand. 



And though the Firth shows chill and grim, 



So warm a heart you hold. 

 That you can plunge in it and swim, 



And never feel the cold. 



Brave bird ! and when our hopes come true 



And Spring, indeed, comes back. 

 My blessing so along with you 

 Upon your northward track. 



The whins are good, the lark is good, 



But you are better yet — 

 The very soul of hardihood. 



In flesh and feathers set ! 



— Henry Johnstone. 



125 



