Lxxii

I wish Some wind would waft this way a glassy bubble-fish O' the kind the sea inflates, and show you, once detached From wave ... or no, the event is better told than watched: Still may the thing float free, globose and opaline All over, save where just the amethysts combine To blue their best, rim-round the sea-flower with a tinge Earth's violet never knew! Well, 'neath that gem-tipped fringe, A head lurks--of a kind--that acts as stomach too; Then comes the emptiness which out the water blew So big and belly-like, but, dry of water drained, Withers away nine-tenths. Ah, but a tenth remained! That was the creature's self: no more akin to sea, Poor rudimental head and stomach, you agree, Than sea 's akin to sun who yonder dips his edge.