Page:The songs that Quinte sang.djvu/32

28 I am standing alone by a mystic tide,
 * And the dark swift waters flow past my feet,

While’st floating across from the other side
 * Come strains of music, heavenly sweet,

And I see the beautiful white-robed throng
 * Beckoning to me across the wave,

And I long to join in the rapturous song,
 * But the cold, dark waters I dare not brave.

I press my feet to the River of Death,
 * But backward shrink with quivering start

For the icy waters have stopped my breath
 * And frozen the blood in my frightened heart,

Then softly and sweetly the angel song
 * Comes floating across to my listening ear:

“Though the river is dark and swift and strong, There is one who will help you, so be of good cheer.”

And then in the midst of the beautiful throng
 * A wondrous vision bursts on my sight:

I seem to see on that shining strand
 * A form of celestial glory and light,

And softly there steals to my troubled soul
 * Those loving words that calm all fear:

“Fear not, my child, though the river be cold
 * I will bear thee up, so be of good cheer.”