THE RIVER

With graceful waves, ye waters, frolic free;
Uplift your liquid songs, ye eddies bright;
And you, loquacious bubblings, day and night,
Hold converse with the wind and leaves in glee!
O'er the deep cut, ye jets, gush sportively.

And rend yourselves to foamy tatters white,
And dash on boulders curved and rocks upright,
Golconda's pearls and diamonds rich to see!

I am your sire, the River. Lo, my hair
Is moonbeams pale: of yon cerulean sky
Mine eyes are mirrors, as I sweep along

Of molten spray is my forehead fair;
Transparent mosses for my beard have I,
The laughter of the Naiads' is my song.