Swims with her brood, or flutters in the spray;

She rises often, often drops again,

And sports at ease on the tempestuous main.

High o'er the restless deep, above the reach

Of gunner's hope, vast flights of wild-ducks stretch;

220

Far as the eye can glance on either side,

In a broad space and level line they glide;

All in their wedge-like figures from the north,

Day after day, flight after flight, go forth.