Page:A New Zealand verse (1906).pdf/153

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The Strayed Albatross.
117
And stretched his tinselled neck for sea;All Nature’s feathered favourites pouredTo their adored undoubted LordOf light and heat, accordance sweetOf pure impassioned revelry;And honey-bird and mocking-birdAnd he of clearest melody,The blossom-loving bell-bird—eachDelicious-throated devoteeIn happy ignorance framed to beContent with rapture—longing-freeFor life or love they cannot reach—Like chimes rich-tuned, to heaven preferredThe praise of their mellifluous glee;Each lurking lyrist of the groveWith all his might sang all his love;Till every foliage-filled ravineAnd bower of amaranthine greenRang persevering ecstasy.

Alfred Domett.

LXXI.

The Strayed Albatross.

Here where the City’s sound Floods o’er his dumb distress,A storm-bound wanderer, bound In bondage pitiless,He waits what doom may rise:Bewildered patience in his eyes.
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