O HOW beautiful is Morning! <br />How the sunbeams strike the daisies, <br />And the kingcups fill the meadow <br />Like a golden-shielded army <br />Marching to the uplands fair;-- <br />I am going forth to battle, <br />And life's uplands rise before me, <br />And my golden shield is ready, <br />And I pause a moment, timing <br />My heart's pæan to the waters, <br />As with cheerful song incessant <br />Onwards runs the little stream; <br />Singing ever, onward ever, <br />Boldly runs the merry stream. <br /> <br />O how glorious is Noon-day! <br />With the cool large shadows lying <br />Underneath the giant forest, <br />The far hill-tops towering dimly <br />O'er the conquered plains below;-- <br />I am conquering--I shall conquer <br />In life's battle-field impetuous: <br />And I lie and listen dreamy <br />To a double-voiced, low music,-- <br />Tender beech-trees sheeny shiver <br />Mingled with the diapason <br />Of the strong, deep, joyful stream, <br />Like a man's love and a woman's; <br />So it runs--the happy stream! <br /> <br />O how grandly cometh Even, <br />Sitting on the mountain summit, <br />Purple-vestured, grave, and silent, <br />Watching o'er the dewy valleys, <br />Like a good king near his end:-- <br />I have labored, I have governed; <br />Now I feel the gathering shadows <br />Of the night that closes all things: <br />And the fair earth fades before me, <br />And the stars leap out in heaven, <br />While into the infinite darkness <br />Solemn runs the steadfast stream-- <br />Onward, onward, ceaseless, fearless, <br />Singing runs the eternal stream.<br /><br />Dinah Maria Mulock Craik<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-stream-s-singing/
