Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/103

Of river margin, radiant in bloom.
Yellow milola, blue convolvulus,
Whose vases seem to overflow with heaven,
These all are haunts of lustrous dragon-fly;
Gorgeous velvet moth, sipping the sweet;
Of dappled bees, gold-dusted; butterflies,
Wing'd like the train of Juno's heavenly bird.

Onward we glide, and twine meandering
On a moss-colour'd water, till the gale
Believes my merry rowers; we expand
A little sail, filling with soft sweet air,
Like some soft bird's white bosom heaved with song,
White as a foam of waterfalls; we glide
Merrily among wave-enchanted flowers,
Glossily heaving while we gently pass;
Or splendid twinkling trees, immersed in light,
From shadowy bosoms offering fruits of Eden;
Breathing a perfume as of Paradise
From their soft islands; islands of the blest,
Bower'd to the marge, re-echo'd in the water;