Mrs. Mary Noel McDonald

CHAINED with strong fetters, fair and restless stream,

Thine onward course, thou rover, harshly stayed,

No more by mossy bank or sylvan glade

Goest thou rejoicing; and the solar beam

That erst threw glittering gems upon thy breast,

No longer owns a power to set thee free.

Fain would the golden rays disturb thy rest,

But, faint and trembling, fail to succor thee.

A mighty arm forbids thy further flow,

And seals with icy band each sparkling wave,

Lays bare the verdant bank thou lov’st to lave

And stills thy babbling tongue; nor shalt thou know,

Sweet captive, aught of liberty again,

Till Spring with gentle hand unbinds the chilling chain.