ONCE, on the river banks we knew, A child, who laughing ran to choose A lily there, essayed to tread The lawn of leaves that outward spread To where the very fairest blew, And slipped from love and life and light, Into the shiny depth beneath; While through the tangle and the ooze Up bubbled all his little breath. Above, the lilies calmly white Were floating still at eventide, When, as it chanced, a boat went down Returning to the royal town, Wherein a noble lady lay Among the cushions dreamily, Who leant above the gilded side And plucked the flower carelessly, And wore it at the ball that night. |