Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BRIGHT WATER FOR ME!, by JAMES P. CRAWFORD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BRIGHT WATER FOR ME!, by                    
First Line: O! Come, come with me to the stream in the glade
Last Line: And our drink the cool water, pure water shall be.
Subject(s): Brooks; Water; Streams; Creeks


O! COME, come with me to the stream in the glade --
The mossbank our rest, and the birch tree our shade;
With the echo we'll laugh -- with the birds we will sing,
And dance 'mong the flow'rs round the murm'ring spring.
There's health at the fountain, and down to its brink
Come the birds of the forest to bathe and to drink,
And the song of the woodland it seemeth to be,
Bright water, cool water, pure water for me!
Then come, come away to the stream in the glade;
The mossbank our rest, and the birch tree our shade;
And you'll dance in the wood 'mong the wild flow'rs with me,
And our drink the cool water, pure water shall be.

In the dance of the gay, 'neath the bright gasalier,
Where circles the wine cup, I know there is cheer,
And I know that the wine and the brandy they sip
Give light to the eye, and a smile to the lip;
But the light of the eye, it must ne'er be forgot,
May turn to the dull, glassy glare of the sot;
And the wine-waken'd smile biddeth virtue to flee --
Oh, there's nothing like water, pure water for me!

There is joy in the wine, but I tremble to know,
More dreadful than war, 'tis humanity's foe;
Of the loved and the lovely it giveth to death
More victims by far than the pestilence breath.
Then throw down the goblet -- then dash down the cup;
Though proffer'd by friendship, O! take it not up --
Turn away from the welcome that gives it to thee:
For there's nothing like water, pure water can be.
Then come, come away to the stream in the glade,
The mossbank our rest, and the birch tree our shade;
And you'll dance in the wood 'mong the wild flowers with me,
And our drink the cool water, pure water shall be.





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