XIV.

Fearlessly he skims along, His hope is high, and his limbs are strong, He spreads his arms like the swallow’s wing, And throws his feet with a frog-like fling; His locks of gold on the water shine, At his breast the tiny foam-beds rise, His back gleams bright above the brine, And the wake-line foam behind him lies. But the water-sprites are gathering near To check his course along the tide; Their warriors come in swift career And hem him round on every side; On his thigh the leech has fixed his hold, The quarl’s long arms are round him rolled, The prickly prong has pierced his skin, And the squab has thrown his javelin, The gritty star has rubbed him raw, And the crab has struck with his giant claw; He howls with rage and he shrieks with pain, He strikes around, but his blows are vain; Hopeless is the unequal fight, Fairy! nought is left but flight.