Poems (Clark)/The Child and the Brooklet
THE CHILD AND THE BROOKLETAfter the German of Dieffenbach.
"Why hastenest thou away,Thou little brook so gay, Far through the valley green?I pray thee pause and beA playmate kind to me, I'm good, you must have seen."
The brooklet murmured low,"I may not linger so, No time have I for play;I have so much to doI cannot rest with you; My way is far to-day.
"For I must quickly glideThe old mill close beside To turn the busy wheel;Then through the meadows low,To cheer the flowers that grow, Must gently onward steal.
"The waiting lambs for meAre crying plaintively That I their thirst will slake;So from the distant springThe water cool to bring My way I quickly take.