But astride the crest of a stream as blue

As the star-lit sky; with their arrows true,

Downy, sun-tipped wings and the briefest legs,

Just like dear young ducklings released from eggs.

They are fluttering, splashing in frolic gay,

Whirling here and there in the misty spray;

Now, anon, down dizziest steeps they glide,

All demurely, roguishly, side by side;

In their path, huge bowlders await, but see!

With a somersault they are passed in glee.