Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/142

130 Hungry it darts and hisses, twists and turns,
 * And with each minute shoots up high and higher,

Till, wrapped in flames, the mighty hayrick burns
 * And sends its sparks on to a neighbouring byre,

Where, frightened at the hot, tremendous glow, The cattle low.

And rick on rick takes fire; and next a stye,
 * Whence through the smoke the little pigs rush out;

The house-dog barks; then, with a startled cry,
 * The window is flung open, shout on shout

Wakes the hard-sleeping farm where man and maid Start up dismayed.

And with wild faces wavering in the glare,
 * In nightcaps, bedgowns, clothes half huddled on

Some to the pump, some to the duck-pond tear
 * In frantic haste, while others splashing run

With pails, or turn the hose with flame-scorched face Upon the blaze.