Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
America: Vols. XXV–XXIX. 1876–79.
Ellis River
By AnonymousI
Cold, crystal fountains, so clear and bright,
Well upward, sparkling, and downward, foaming
Rush onward, roaming, to find a light.
In splendor flashing its waters run.
Out from the woodland, out from the bushes,
It gayly rushes to meet the sun.
In quiet greeting, together flow;
By pools and eddies, where trout are rising,
With snares enticing the anglers go.
In brimming chalice, emerald green,
Flowing past farmhouse, elms, corn and clover,
All through Andover gleams thy bright sheen.
In meadows sleeping, I will not sing
Of swollen torrents, in fury raging,
Destruction waging, in stormy Spring.
Bright river Ellis, flowing through meadows,
I love thy shadows and golden sands,
Where light through tremulous foliage shimmers,
Dances and glimmers in waving bands.
Haymakers finding ere dews are gone;
Where blades are whetted, with music ringing,
And scythes are swinging at early dawn.
By thee abiding I fain would stray,
The peace of Nature my heart divining,
All care resigning this happy day!