Truant ducks go idly twinkling through the yellow stubble-field;

Their white feathers like the glosses

Of the shining silver bosses

That adorn the tawny luster of an olden golden shield.

In long loops from off the hedges,

Trailing downward to the edges

Of the wayside grass and clover-leaves, fine cobweb threads are wound;

Fairy clues that lead my eager

Errant fancy to beleaguer

Some concealed, enchanted chamber in the richly covered ground.