Emus (Calamus. 
176 
How often in the chapel too, 
The fresh-thrown reeds might lie; 
While the tears and smiles of a bridal band 
Went softly passing by! 
And they were there when sorrow deep 
Wept the untimely doom 
Of young, and bright, and beautiful, 
Borne to the ancestral tomb. 
In sooth it is an ancient thing, 
This new-found friend of mine, 
And many a scene of joy and wo 
Hath it known in days lang syne. 
I love it for them all right well, 
But yet I love it more 
For the fairy scene that lay around 
Its home on that lakeless shore: 
Beside the bank the stately trees 
Waved gently to and fro, 
And flitting specks of sunlight fell 
The leafy branches thro’, 
And danced among the tall keen reeds, 
And on the water fell, 
Where the merry fish were glancing swift; 
And the water snake, as well, 
Came, gliding in a graceful curl 
All silently and still, 
