BY the wide lake's margin I mark'd her lie -- The wide, weird lake where the alders sigh -- A young fair thing, with a shy, soft eye; And I deem'd that her thoughts had flown To her home, and her brethren, and sisters dear, As she lay there watching the dark, deep mere, All motionless, all alone. Then I heard a noise, as of men and boys, And a boisterous troop drew nigh. Whither now will retreat those fairy feet? Where hide till the storm pass by? One glance -- the wild glance of a hunted thing -- She cast behind her; she gave one spring; And there follow'd a splash and a broadening ring On the lake where the alders sigh. She had gone from the ken of ungentle men! Yet scarce did I mourn for that; For I knew she was safe in her own home then, And, the danger past, would appear again, For she was a water-rat. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DILIGENCE IS TO MAGIC AS PROGRESS IS TO FLIGHT by MARIANNE MOORE HYBRIDS OF WAR: A MORALITY POEM: 4. THE MORAL by KAREN SWENSON LEISURE by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES O BLACK AND UNKNOWN BARDS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE CALL by ANNYE LEWIS ALLISON |