Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/102

80 Fans clear and lucid now in morning hours; Vivid green pennons of tall rushes wave Athwart blue light, with dense papyrus reed, Wherein soft brown gazelles rustle and play 'Neath hollyhock, brown bulrush, and flagflowers. A mighiy river horse Protrudes a shining snout; trumpets aloud, Blowing out spurts of water like a whale. "Pula, pula," calls the "Son-in-law of God;"$16$ While ever and anon an ebony bird Rouses from his dim dreaming on the sand, And screaming harshly, wakes a long wild cry From some fish-eagle, widening vast brown wings. In shoals grave marabouts, with red flamingoes, Wade; and behold! yon bird on floating lotus Leaves walks among the holy white lilies, Dipping a glossy fold below the ripple. A snowy ibis, a slim demoiselle, A tall grey heron, an egret of white plume; These, and the like, stand fairy sentinels, With wavering bright image down below, Silent before a twilit emerald