River-Mates

I’LL be an otter, and I’ll let you swim A mate beside me; we will venture down A deep, dark river, when the sky above Is shut of the sun; spoilers are we,

Thick-coated; no dog’s tooth can bite at our veins With eyes and ears of poachers; deep-earthed ones Turned hunters; let him slip past The little vole; my teeth are on an edge For the King-fish of the River!

I hold him up The glittering salmon that smells of the sea;

I hold him high and whistle!

Now we go Back to our earths; we will tear and eat Sea-smelling salmon; you will tell the cubs I am the Booty-bringer,

I am the Lord Of the River; the deep, dark, full and flowing River.