THE CASCADE.
Reading edition
‘It leapt and danced along all joyously,
Till winter winds swept o’er it.——’
I saw, as I stood by a mountain’s side
On a lovely summer day,
When the light winds in the vale had died,
And all was fresh and gay—
A cascade beautiful and clear
All gaily laughing in the sun,
As it dashed upon its bed of stone,
Sprinkling the wild flowers near.
And I thought how sweet it were to dwell
Beside that dashing stream,
Watching the white foam where it fell,
And vanished like a dream:
To list as its murmurs flew along
In all their thrilling harmony,
And mingled in sweet symphony,
With the wood-bird’s gushing song.
The autumn winds swept through that wood,
With a sad and mournful sound;
Decay was in its solitude,
And dead leaves spread the ground:—
And I sighed, and cast a sorrowing look,
As I passed that spot again;
For Winter had thrown his icy chain
Across that gushing brook.
March 1st, 1836. H.
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