English poem
While on the shore, by the waters, his time he often spent
by Mary Pickering Nichols (1829–1915)
While on the shore, by the waters, his time he often spent, He saw, among the sea-waves, live fishes, as he went; To catch them it were easy, but yet he did not get them, For with fire his kitchen smoked not. Daily his sorrow grew that he could not eat them.
Oft from his rocky shelter to the forest he would roam; Many wild beasts saw he, strong and grim in their home. One there was among them greedy to devour him; But with his sword he slew him, and let him quickly feel the hate he bore him.
Unto a wild chameleon this dreadful thing was like; Its skin the boy drew from it, (for that was he not too weak;) Now for its blood he thirsted, and, when of this he had taken, He felt great strength come o’er him; and many thoughts began in him to waken.
More by Mary Pickering Nichols
- When the weaponed fighters by Hagen there were seen
- When they had heard this answer, back to the shore they went
- When they thus had spoken, the kings no more did rest
- Whene’er to him it happened weapons at court to see
- While the weary warriors were resting and asleep
- Wisely then spake Wâ-te, the warrior old and good
- With friendly love, Queen Hilda bade them all farewell
- With these himself he girded, that simple little child