Page:Beachy Head and Other Poems.pdf/97

Rh

While the Leontodon its plumage rears, And o'er the casque in waving grace appears; With stern undaunted eye, one warlike chief Grasps the tall club from Arum's blood-dropt leaf; This, with the Burdock's hooks annoys his foes, The purple thorn that borrows from the Rose. In honeyed nectaries couched, some drive away The forked insidious earwig from his prey; Fearless the scaled libellula assail, Dart their keen lances at the encroaching snail; Arrest the winged ant, on pinions light, And strike the headlong beetle in his flight.

Nor less assiduous round their lovely queen, The lighter forms of female fays are seen;