A bright stream may shrink in summer's hot fire, <br />Flowers on her margin may droop and expire; <br />Her channel be dry, her soft gushing tone, <br />The voice of the stream be silent and gone. <br /> <br /> <br />Lost nymph of the stream, we find thee again; <br />Clouds from their treasures have pour'd out the rain; <br />Thy channel is full, thou glidest along, <br />Flowers on thy margin and mirth in thy song. <br /> <br /> <br />Brightly and swiftly, with laughter and song, <br />The life-stream of youth runs sparkling along; <br />Oft on the margin, enamelled with flowers, <br />Youth in wild pleasure is wasting the hours. <br /> <br /> <br />Fierce fires of passion are scorching his veins, <br />The bright stream hath shrunk 'neath horrors and pains; <br />God speaks in thunder-the rain-torrent pours- <br />The life-stream again runs fresh 'mong the flowers.<br /><br />Janet Hamilton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/be-hopeful-iii-the-stream/
