Shelter.

By the wide lake's margin I mark'd her lie -      The wide, weird lake where the alders sigh -     A young fair thing, with a shy, soft eye;      And I deem'd that her thoughts had flown     To her home, and her brethren, and sisters dear,     As she lay there watching the dark, deep mere,      All motionless, all alone.     Then I heard a noise, as of men and boys,      And a boisterous troop drew nigh.     Whither now will retreat those fairy feet?      Where hide till the storm pass by?     One glance - the wild glance of a hunted thing -     She cast behind her; she gave one spring;     And there follow'd a splash and a broadening ring      On the lake where the alders sigh.     She had gone from the ken of ungentle men!      Yet scarce did I mourn for that;     For I knew she was safe in her own home then,     And, the danger past, would appear again,      For she was a water-rat.