MARIE.
One day we sat—we two, on Kerlo bridge,
With our feet on the wave, over the ridge,
Joyous to stop, as it went on its way,
A branch, a fern, or a flower smiling gay,
And under the willows the fishes to spite
That came up to slumber in warmth and light.
Savage the spot was, no breath, no sound
Awoke in the valley, above and around,
Except our own laughter, childish and shrill,
And our voices echoed loud back from the hill,
To run through the labyrinth of dark woods
Fainter and fainter 'mid the solitudes;
For two brown forests the river enfold
As it seaward glides, slow, limpid, and cold.
Alone in this desert, and free all the day,
Love filled our hearts in the midst of our play.
It was pleasure to see in the waters clear
A thousand small fish disport without fear,
Bite and pursue, or in bands swim along,
Fins of silver and gold displayed all the throng.
Then the royal salmon, and 'neath the stone
The eel that hides by the bank all alone.
Numberless insects, transparent, with wings,
Mounted the current all day to the springs;
