A Reed by the River/Prelude
PRELUDE
Not with the maddening tumult of the windThat sweeps with unresisting impulse rife,Nor fiercer flame that leaves sad waste behind,But softly would I move along thy life;As 'mid still eloquence of woodland mazeWe stay the step, and silently pass nighWhere the imprisoning hush of twilight waysShrines, dryadlike, the heart of Mystery,Lest the spell break we tread not all too near,But steal with trembling breath dim paths along—Finding the shadow than all light more dear,Finding the hush more sweet than any song;Thus, at its portal, 'twixt thy soul and strife,I would move softly, love, along thy life.