New Zealand Verse/Ti-trees and the Kukupa

LXXV.

Ti-trees and the Kukupa.

A grove of the southern palm
  On an islet, alone
In the bosom unrippled and calm
Of a lake with its mountain-zone:

The wild bee’s singing
Has ceased in the great white bloom;
And the once gay-scented plume
Hangs lazily swinging:

White? it is still milk-white
In its green top serried,
  Still milk-white,—
But drooping, heavily berried.

In the midst, iridescent and glowing,
  Full-breasted, bead-eyed,
Bright as the Argus showing,
  Not knowing its pride,—
(Low and gentle the call,
  Cooing, and cooing:
Wood-pigeons; that is all,
  Cooing and wooing.)