第23章 THE BROOK

I looked in the brook and saw a face - Heigh-ho, but a child was I!

There were rushes and willows in that place, And they clutched at the brook as the brook ran by;

And the brook it ran its own sweet way, As a child doth run in heedless play, And as it ran I heard it say:

"Hasten with me To the roistering sea That is wroth with the flame of the morning sky!"

I look in the brook and see a face - Heigh-ho, but the years go by!

The rushes are dead in the old-time place, And the willows I knew when a child was I.

And the brook it seemeth to me to say, As ever it stealeth on its way - Solemnly now, and not in play:

"Oh, come with me To the slumbrous sea That is gray with the peace of the evening sky!"

Heigh-ho, but the years go by - I would to God that a child were I!