C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Au Bord de l’Eau

Translation of E. and R. E. Prothero

TO sit and watch the wavelets as they flow,

Two,—side by side;

To see the gliding clouds that come and go,

And mark them glide;

If from low roofs the smoke is wreathing pale,

To watch it wreathe;

If flowers around breathe perfume on the gale,

To feel them breathe;

If the bee sips the honeyed fruit that glistens,

To sip the dew;

If the bird warbles while the forest listens,

To listen too;

Beneath the willow where the brook is singing,

To hear its song;

Nor feel, while round us that sweet dream is clinging,

The hours too long;

To know one only deep o’ermastering passion,—

The love we share;

To let the world go worrying in its fashion

Without one care—

We only, while around all weary grow,

Unwearied stand,

And midst the fickle changes others know,

Love—hand in hand.