ALPINE CHANT

By Cale Young Rice

I'm tramping thro the mountains,

They are rising white around me,

Snow peaks like patriarchs

That Winter has enthroned.

I'm tramping up the valleys

Where the cataracts sound me

Thunders they have shrilly

From eternity intoned.

I'm tramping thro the mountains,

With the clouds for my companions,

Soft clouds that float and cling

From crag to cloven crag.

I'm passing by the chalets

That o'erhang the high cañons,

Passing where the shepherds

And the flocks they pipe to lag.

I'm tramping thro the mountains

Where the pines in proud procession

Climb like a hardy host

To halo-heights of sun.

I'm listening for the sallies

Of the avalanche's Hessian

Hurl of ice and granite

Into gulfs Avernian.

I'm tramping thro the mountains

And the wind is yodling to me

Yearnings of the glaciers

To flow to summer lands.

I'm treading up the valleys

With no wanting to undo me —

For to-day I'm goalless

And the great God understands!