Page:Poems Toke.djvu/56

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But, lo! across our onward path
A river dashed in foaming wrath,
And rushed along with deafening roar
Between us and the lovely shore.
We paused: across the torrent flung,
A light and trembling structure hung.
Though based upon the solid shore,
It seemed to tremble at the roar
Of every billow tipped with snow,
Which rushed along the rocks below!
I stood entranced, with awe-struck ear,
That music of the waves to hear,
Then gazed upon that watery grave—
The bridge which trembled o'er the wave,—
And eager still to reach that shore,
I could not, dare not, venture o'er!
'Twas then that thy sweet voice of peace,
Assuring, bade my terrors cease,
And asked, "Would I now turn and flee,
Nor strive to stem the tide with thee?"
With thee? Oh, what would I not dare,
Thy lot on earth in heaven to share!
I paused no longer,—side by side,
We feared no more the foaming tide:
And though the waters raged around,
Till earth seemed trembling at the sound,
We passed that torrent hand in hand,
And safely reached that lovely land
Where we could gaze on dangers past,
And calm delights now reached at last.

Morn came,—that blissful dream was gone.
I woke once more, and all was flown;