Niagara Falls 



1865 Within thy courts I come this vernal day, 



Ere Fashion's chimes invite the thoughtless throng; 

 Almost alone I watch thy curling spray, 



And lose my breath to swell thy ceaseless song. 



I mark the flowers upon thy marge that blow, 

 Sweet violets blue and campanule's white bells ; 



Their azure shines unblenched, unblushed their snow : 

 These timid things feel not, as I, thy spells. 



And in thy woods the birds heed not thy roar, 

 Where the brown thrush and painted oriole, 



All unabashed, their tides of song outpour, 

 As if thy floods in terror did not roll. 



They do not know, the buds and birds around, 

 How wonderful, how grand, how dread thou art; 



But I, transfixed by every sight and sound, 

 Stand, worshipping thy Maker in my heart. 



I must go back where tides of commerce flow, 

 And the dull roar of traffic cleaves the air; 



And in my heart sweet memories shall glow 

 And to my dreams shall summon visions fair. 



Niagara! thou wilt freshen all my thought, 

 And cool the breath of fevered noons for me; 



My days shall lapse with thy remembrance fraught, 

 Thy voices chant my nights' weird lullaby. 



Great torrent, speed thee to the lake and sea. 



With tireless smoke of spray and thund'rous roar; 



I bless my God, for all thy joy to me, 



Though I should see thy marvelous face no more. 



752 



