THE WATER-OUSEL’S SONG.
Whitter! whitter! where the water
Leaps among the rocks,
And the din of the linn
Swelling thunder mocks,
Cheerily and merrily
I sing my roundelay,
Whitter! whitter! bright or bitter
Be the winter day!
Whitter! whitter! down the water
Speeding with the stream,
Snow around wraps the ground
In a silent dream!
Wood and hill, all are still,
Birds as mute as clay,
Whitter! whitter! what is fitter
For a winter day?
Whitter! whitter! in the water
Busily I ply;
Ice and snow come and go,
Nought a care have I.
Mountain waters flee their fetters,
So I feed and play,
Whitter! whitter! pitter! pitter!
All the winter day.
Whitter! whitter! o’er the water
Still and smooth and deep,
Round the pool, clear and cool,
Where the shadows sleep,
Snowy breast, shadow-kissed,
Whirring on its way,
Whitter! whitter! titter! titter!
Ho! the winter day!
Whitter! whitter! through the water,
By the miller’s wheel,
Where the strong water’s song
Rings a merry peal;
Wet or dry, what care I,
Sporting in the spray?
Whitter! whitter! twitter! twitter!
Flies the winter day.
Whitter! whitter! with the water
Where the burnies run,
’Mong the hills, where the rills
Dance unto the sun,
In the nooks, where the brooks
Ripple on for aye,
Whitter! whitter! bright or bitter
Be the winter day!
J. H. P.