330 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [13:8— Nov., 1917 



IX 



Under the stone arch, close beside the farm 



It silent steals, in cautious, still alarm 



And then away, in placid solitude 



Renews its cr^^stal, marsh-born, wayward charm. 



X 



Off to the woodland, with a steadfast aim 



It flows — the wood that gave our brook its name 



Will lend it beauty and a sylvan smile, 



More fair than that sweet marsh from whence it came. 



XI 



Then meet the rill, your little brother stream 

 And on together through the valley gleam. 

 Two crystal gems, merged in a widening course 

 Bright as a pla^^ful, iridescent dream. 



XII 

 Through Red Oak Wood, and o'er the level mead 

 Now suavely tame, and now with madcap speed. 

 By lawn and mansion, and great thoroughfare 

 It bravely bounds, where e'er its course may lead. 



XIII 

 Into the wood that mounts the rugged hill, 

 Through deepening gorge, the bounding waters spill, 

 In many a splashy, musical cascade 

 Or modulation, petulantly shrill. 



XIV 

 Then with a bound of beauteous overflow, 

 Into a gulf the crystal fragments go. 

 And lo! Taughannock, all in miniature 

 Is recreated like a cameo! 



XV 

 Down, down and down, to where the little cave 

 Is fashioned by your ever wearing wave, 

 And where the cat-bird loves to sit and sing 

 Let your sweet water for a moment lave. 



XVI 



Out then, and slow, across the lowlands take 

 Your flowery way, through reed, and rush and brake, 

 Lingering songless, till with impulse strong 

 Your last full swirl is outward to the lake. 



XVII 

 Until Cayuga, like a mother greet 

 Her wayward boy, that comes with hastening feet. 

 When evening falls, and knows that there alone 

 Is rest for him, and haj)piness complete! 



