BY A SILENT STREAM

To sit by a silent stream,

Watching water-lilies dream:

While breezes winnow

The floating seeds,

And the aery minnow

Weaves his wavy web among the reeds.

Where a fallen sycamore

Whitely arches a pathway o'er,

And shadows darkle

The lambent cool,

As, softly a-sparkle.

Sunbeams arrow lightnings thro the pool.

Where the everlasting's breath

Odors mysteries of death.

Where iron-weeds, rusted

Leaf and pod,

By insects dusted,

Rustle — then in autumn sadness nod.

To sit... till every sense

Lose thought of whither and whence;

Till earth and heaven

And faith and fate

No longer leaven

Life, with hope or fear, or love or hate.