Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/119

 WINNIPESAUKEE LAKE. Ill

��WINNIPESAUKEE LAKE.

��BY EVERETT SMYTH.

Noiselessly skimming o'er the brimming Lake, down past the silvery edge Of wav'ring shadows fleeing ; Steering straight for sandy landing, ledge- Bound, hedge-bound, swimming birds and trimming Herds fearing at our appearing, Glided we so light and airy, Startled we no timid fairy.

Aground, skiff rocking, bubbles knocking

Wildly round the foaming surf

It made, we spring, enchanted, haunted

By strange fancies, on the turf;

No thought unlocking, — Nature talking,

Smiling at our courage daunted;

There would we the world's care banish,

Cause all weary thoughts to vanish.

Far from the gnashing jaws of clashing

Toil, to man before unknown,

That shore was ours for singing, ringing

Laughter; after, dreaming lone

By bright waves dashing, ever flashing

In the clinging sunlight, bringing

Back to thought some spoken sentence,

Spoken ere we thought repentance.

Clear springs were calling, crystals falling, Sparkling, laughing, as they ran Adown the valley winding, finding Quietude away from man. Away from crawling, soul-appalling, Human grinding, by ever minding Conscience, Nature, Laws of Heaven, Could we there the whole lump leaven?

Thro' the entrancing glen advancing,

Gleeful as the witching day;

O'er the bright green moss tripping, sipping

Joys not dreamed of yesterday ;

Not backward glancing; prancing, dancing,

To fount slipping, dipping, dripping,

We the hours chased, benighted —

Glided back by moonbeams lighted.

��Weirs, N. H., July 31, 1877.

�� �