ALL peacefully gliding, <br />The waters dividing, <br />The indolent batteau moved slowly along, <br />The rowers, light-hearted, <br />From sorrow long parted, <br />Beguiled the dull moments with laughter and song: <br />'Hurrah for the rapid that merrily, merrily <br />Gambols and leaps on its tortuous way! <br />Soon we will enter it, cheerily, cheerily, <br />Pleased with its freshness, and wet with its spray.' <br /> <br />More swiftly careering, <br />The wild rapid nearing, <br />They dash down the stream like a terrified steed; <br />The surges delight them, <br />No terrors affright them, <br />Their voices keep pace with the quickening speed: <br />'Hurrah for the rapid that merrily, merrily <br />Shivers its arrows against us in play! <br />Now we have entered it, cheerily, cheerily, <br />Our spirits as light as its feathery spray.' <br /> <br />Fast downward they're dashing, <br />Each fearless eye flashing, <br />Though danger awaits them on every side. <br />Yon rock–see it frowning! <br />They strike–they are drowning! <br /> <br />But downward they speed with the merciless tide; <br />No voice cheers the rapid, that angrily, angrily <br />Shivers their bark in its maddening play; <br />Gaily they entered it–heedlessly recklessly, <br />Mingling their lives with its treacherous spray!<br /><br />Charles Sangster<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-rapid/
