Ellis River. Anonymous. New England: Ellis, the River, Me. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. 1876-79. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes. America: Vols. XXV-XXIX

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
America: Vols. XXV–XXIX. 1876–79.

New England: Ellis, the River, Me.

Ellis River

Anonymous


IN hidden caverns, within the mountains,
Cold, crystal fountains, so clear and bright,
Well upward, sparkling, and downward, foaming
Rush onward, roaming, to find a light.

Off on the hillside a brook is dashing;	5
In splendor flashing its waters run.
Out from the woodland, out from the bushes,
It gayly rushes to meet the sun.

Down in the valley, two streamlets, meeting
In quiet greeting, together flow;	10
By pools and eddies, where trout are rising,
With snares enticing the anglers go.

Here in thy intervale, sweet river Ellis,
In brimming chalice, emerald green,
Flowing past farmhouse, elms, corn and clover,	15
All through Andover gleams thy bright sheen.

Sweet river Ellis, thy calm way keeping,
In meadows sleeping, I will not sing
Of swollen torrents, in fury raging,
Destruction waging, in stormy Spring. * * * * *	20
Bright river Ellis, flowing through meadows,
I love thy shadows and golden sands,
Where light through tremulous foliage shimmers,
Dances and glimmers in waving bands.

Pure river Ellis, through meadows winding,	25
Haymakers finding ere dews are gone;
Where blades are whetted, with music ringing,
And scythes are swinging at early dawn.

Sweet river Ellis, through meadows gliding,
By thee abiding I fain would stray,	30
The peace of Nature my heart divining,
All care resigning this happy day! * * * * *