 | Under Green Leaves |  |
67
THE STEPPING-STONES.
I
Maiden on the stepping-stonesO'er the brawling river,
Pass, nor stop to gaze below;
Heed not how the waters flow,
Rolling on for ever.
II
Shallow seeming, deep as death,Rolls the haunted river;
Evil spirits in its wave
Lurk to drag thee to the grave,
Pitiless for ever.
68
III
If thy garment's hem but touchThat exulting river,
If thy feet but stop to play
With a ripple on the way,
Thou art lost for ever.
IV
Clear and pure it seems to run—False deluding river!
At thy touch its waves will swell,
Frothing, foaming, each a well
Gurgling up for ever.
V
Maiden on the stepping-stonesO'er the brawling river,
Pray to God to be thy guide
From the fiends on either side,
Tempting thee for ever.
| Under Green Leaves | |