University of Virginia Library


12

RIVER BABBLE.
I.

The wreathing of my rhymes has helped to chase
Away despair from many a wingless day;
And in the corners of my heart I pray
That they may last, or leave at least some trace:
Yet would I tear them all, could that replace
The fly-rod in my hand, this eve of May;
And watch the paper fragments float away
Into oblivion, on a trout-stream's face.
Thou fool, thou fool! thou weary, crippled fool!
Thou never more wilt leap from stone to stone
Where rise the trout in every rocky pool;
Thou never more wilt stand at dusk alone
Beside the humming waters, in the cool,
Where dance the flies, and make the trout thy own!