Page:Oregon Literature by Horner.djvu/22

14 Maims and mars us,

Leaves no track or trench on thee."

No wonder that Samuel L. Simpson, the Edgar Poe of Oregon, sang to the world

From the Cascades' frozen gorges,

Leaping like a child at play,

Winding, widening through the valley

Bright Willamette glides away;

Onward ever,

Lovely river,

Softly calling to the sea;

Time, that scars us,

Maims and mars us,

Leaves no track or trench on thee.

Spring's green witchery is weaving

Braid and border for thy side;

Grace forever haunts thy journey,

Beauty dimples on thy tide;

Through the purple gates of morning,

Now thy roseate ripples dance,

Golden then, when day, departing,

On thy waters trails his lance.

(Notice the music of the old song.)

Waltzing, flashing,

Tinkling, splashing,

Limpid, volatile, and free—