Menella Bute Smedley (Менелла Бьют Смедли)
A Nursery Rhyme
I found a little river in the sweet summer tide, Lily, O Lily! I wish that I were for ever by its side; Cool is the running water. All its rocks were marble, shining with dew, Lily, O Lily! On each rock of marble a palace-flower grew; Cool is the running water. Red were the palace-flowers, cups of red light; Lily, O Lily! White were the marble rocks, snow-clouds so white; Cool is the running water. In all the red cups butterflies sate, Lily, O Lily! Clad in new rainbows, and keeping their state; Cool is the running water. These rainbow butterflies all sang like birds, Lily, O Lily! I know the tune, but I cannot tell the words; Cool is the running water. I felt the song in my heart like a fear, Lily, O Lily! I ran away because I was so near; Cool is the running water. If I had gone where the butterflies drew, Lily, O Lily! I should be there now with my feet in the dew; Cool is the running water. I should be there now, with my face in the light, Lily, O Lily! With a king-butterfly all day and night; Cool is the running water. If I could tell what the butterflies said, Lily, O Lily! I should find my little river in its white bed; Cool is the running water. Comrades, search with me, run to and fro, Lily, O Lily! Tell if you find where the palace-flowers grow; Cool is the running water. I know they are growing there, each like a star, Lily, O Lily! Any one may find them, if he seeks far; Cool is the running water. Tell if you hear any faint notes and sweet, Lily, O Lily! Like living music that flows to your feet; Cool is the running water. I know they are singing there, just the same song, Lily, O Lily! Any one may hear them if he listens long; Cool is the running water. O! if they call you, go like the wind, Lily, O Lily! Take me beside you, leave me not behind; Cool is the running water. Take me beside you, over hill and plain, Lily, O Lily! O! my little river that I find not again; Cool is the running water. O! my little river, if I were on your shore, Lily, O Lily! I should live there, and not die, but sing evermore, Cool is the running water.
Menella Bute Smedley’s other poems:
