From lofty snows, a trickle flows
The melt of shimmering ices
Which, warmed by sun, begins to run
And drip down rock crevices
In mountains pool, this glacial drool
Awaits for furthering growing
Rivulets surge and cross and merge
And soon a stream is going
Behold the sight; from on the height
The myriad creeks do rally
And tumble down from skyward crown
To wander, born, through valley
There on his banks, attendant ranks
Of leal trees and flowers
Shall bow and call, though beauteous all
Transfixed by water’s powers
Well, wind, and wend through forest glen
Survey this shaded kingdom
Where branches sigh and bluebells cry
Without a hand to ring them
Meandering on in early dawn
With arbor lingering after
Past rolling hills, this princely rill
Greets blooming meadow, field, and pasture
And marshaling here, his kinsman dear
To form a roiling aqueous host
In fealty, their company
Will march unfettered towards the coast
Such coursing strength, such spanning length
Of flooding, fluid glory
And out his fame, this lord proclaims
Though other currents writ his story
What awesome sound throughout resounds
The gurgling thunder of thy manners!
Both midday light and stars of night
Are caught and captured in thy banners!
Hermit Thrush 