To the River Rhone

THOU Royal River, born of sun and shower

In chambers purple with the Alpine glow,

Wrapped in the spotless ermine of the snow

And rocked by tempests!—at the appointed hour

Forth, like a steel-clad horseman from a tower,

With clang and clink of harness dost thou go

To meet thy vassal torrents, that below

Rush to receive thee and obey thy power.

And now thou movest in triumphal march,

A king among the rivers! On thy way

A hundred towns await and welcome thee;

Bridges uplift for thee the stately arch,

Vineyards encircle thee with garlands gay,

And fleets attend thy progress to the sea!