To a River in Which a Child Was Drowned

Smilingriver,smilingriver,

Onthybosomsun-beamsplay;

Thoughtheyrefleetingandretreating,

Thouhastmoredeceitthanthey.

Intheychannel,inthychannel,

Chokedwithoozeandgravllystones,

Deepimmersed,andunhearsed,

LiesyoungEdwardscorse:hisbones.

Everwhitening,everwhitening,

Asthywavesagainstthemdash;

Whatthytorrent,inthecurrent,

Swallowd,nowithelpstowash.

Asifsenseless,asifsenseless

Thingshadfeelinginthiscase;

Whatsoblindly,andunkindly,

Itdestroyd,itnowdoesgrace.