 | Poems of Charles Warren Stoddard . |  |
78
THE SECRET WELL
I know a well so deep and cool
And hid, the crystal-hearted pool
Hath never thrilled a swallow's throat
Or sweetened one lark's note.
And hid, the crystal-hearted pool
Hath never thrilled a swallow's throat
Or sweetened one lark's note.
No fainting stag, though perishing,
Hath ventured to disturb this spring:
No leopard with its fiery breast
This fountain dares molest.
Hath ventured to disturb this spring:
No leopard with its fiery breast
This fountain dares molest.
No cunning, silver-caséd trout
The sheltered source can e'er find out—
No tongue but mine may ever tell
The secret of this well.
The sheltered source can e'er find out—
No tongue but mine may ever tell
The secret of this well.
I build about its guarded rim
With added stones; I know the dim,
Still twilight of its mossy cell
Where the sweet waters dwell.
With added stones; I know the dim,
Still twilight of its mossy cell
Where the sweet waters dwell.
For spirits go between us two
With flasks; they brim with softest dew.
I drink and am refreshed, and seem
As living in a dream.
With flasks; they brim with softest dew.
79
As living in a dream.
This well, that is alone for me,
Is but a fount of memory:
And every year that I have known
Is but an added stone.
Is but a fount of memory:
And every year that I have known
Is but an added stone.
My willing thoughts, as spirits, haste
To draw the draught I love to taste.
There is an ever full supply,
Yet who may drink but I?
To draw the draught I love to taste.
There is an ever full supply,
Yet who may drink but I?
| Poems of Charles Warren Stoddard . | |