170
The EBB TIDE.
Slowly thy flowing tide
Came in, old Avon! scarcely did mine eyes,
As watchfully I roam'd thy green-wood side,
Behold the gentle rise.
Came in, old Avon! scarcely did mine eyes,
As watchfully I roam'd thy green-wood side,
Behold the gentle rise.
With many a stroke and strong
The labouring boatmen upward plied their oars,
And yet the eye beheld them labouring long
Between thy winding shores.
The labouring boatmen upward plied their oars,
And yet the eye beheld them labouring long
Between thy winding shores.
Now down thine ebbing tide
The unlaboured boat falls rapidly along;
The solitary helms-man sits to guide
And sings an idle song.
The unlaboured boat falls rapidly along;
The solitary helms-man sits to guide
And sings an idle song.
Now o'er the rocks, that lay
So silent late, the shallow current roars;
Fast flow thy waters on their sea-ward way
Thro' wider-spreading shores.
So silent late, the shallow current roars;
Fast flow thy waters on their sea-ward way
Thro' wider-spreading shores.
