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By fierce-hissing, yelling fire-boat,
Bravely parts the mere's effulgence,

To yon distant grove escaping.

8.

"a crystal mere

Among steep hills and woods embosom'd "

Beauteous then the unfolded prospect;
Gay the Red Man's sun-lit lodges 10

Gleaming on the imbower'd mere-beach;

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Broad and fair shines Kootchi-tching Lake."1

9.

"Tibur supinum "

Glistens, as we round lush foreland, 'Neath yon pine-hung slope Orillia,— O'er, about her the dark wild-wood

Crowning, clasping as fair girdle.

The Red Man's name for the White Man's steam-boat' (cf. C. p. 57).

10.

THE SUMMER STEAMER ON THE MERE.

"placidum sulcabat iter "

Bravely doth float the gold-prankt boat

On the pearly, silvery mere:

Bravely doth show her shape below

In the pool so still and clear.

Gaily doth glide the sweet summer-tide;
Merrily dance the blithe hours:

While the nodding trees, gently waked by the breeze,
Whisper welcome to Eden-bow'rs.

[blocks in formation]

Daintily it waved and shimmer'd,—

With its bowers and its flowers,—

When a loon'sg black neck would tower

Ever and anon above it.

12.

"the still breast of a crystal lake "

Glode we thus by charming foreland, Glode we thus by charming island,

To thy faery port, Bell Ewart;

Whence the fire-cars whirl'd us,-bounding
Through the gloom of grove primæval
Lighted by the flaring elder.

13.

"Itur in antiquam silvam "

"mali culices ranæque palustres

Avertunt somnos."

Now had pass'd bay-throned Barrie, 12

Now the sunset's glories parted.

Also called the great northern diver (Colymbus glacialis).

Lo! in mid career our swift steed,
Swarthy, iròn-harness'd Vapour,

Halted, shatter'd and disabled-
Halted, in the eerie gloaming,

'Mid the many-cycled 13 greenwood.

One pale star faint glimmer'd o'er us,
Lightning-fliesh flash'd fitful by us,
Naught the grewsome stillness breaking,
Save the croaking of the bull-frog,-14
Huge, dusk, yellow-eyed Dahinda,—
Antiphonal, in the rank swamp.
Sore we smarted with the stinging

Of guerilla-like mosquito,

Small, shrill, poison-spear'd Suggeema,

Dancing mazy, 'wildering war-dance,

Hoarse, terrific war-cry singing,

Venging hunting-ground invaded.

Happy they who won the kindly

"Lightning-bug" ("bug" is= beetle) is the Yankee name for the fire-fly.

Influence of gracious Slumber

Through the long drear hours slow-dwindling,

Ere beyond lone Nahdowa-Sahging 15
Collingwood 16 could speed swift steam-car,

And receive us worn and drowsy.

Such the first day of our travel.

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