The Streamlet from the Cliff

(The Island, Canto iii. Stanza 3.)

A LITTLE stream came tumbling from the height,

And straggling into ocean as it might,

Its bounding crystal frolick’d in the ray,

And gush’d from cliff to crag with saltless spray;

Close on the wild, wide ocean, yet as pure

And fresh as innocence, and more secure,

Its silver torrent glitter’d o’er the deep,

As the shy chamois’ eye o’erlooks the steep,

While far below the vast and sullen swell

Of ocean’s alpine azure rose and fell.