Page:Scenes in my Native Land.pdf/299

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TRENTON FALLS.
295


    Thou, terrible in beauty! hold thy way,
Foaming, and full of wrath. Thy deeds shall be
    Graved on yon altar-piece of frowning rock,
That every worshipper, who bows to thee,
    May read the record, and indignant mock
Thy siren charms. And henceforth, she, who guides
Some darling child along thy treacherous tides,
    Marking the trophy thou hast torn
From fond affection's heart, shall turn away, and mourn.



    Would that it were not so,—
    That no dark shade of woe
Marred thine exceeding beauty. Then the breast
    That heaves with rapture at this glorious scene,
    Might hoard thine image, stainless and serene,
        Wrapped in the light sublime
        That at Creation's prime
                Fair Eden blest,
    Ere at its gate the sword of flame
Told with a warning voice, the lapse of grief and shame.




Trenton Falls, upon the West Canada Creek, are at the distance of a pleasant drive from the city of Utica. None who are thus near, should, unless impelled by necessity, depart without paying them a visit.

The river, in its descent to a rocky ravine, makes