Looking-Glass River

Smooth it glides upon its travel, Here a wimple, there a gleam-- O the clean gravel! O the smooth stream! Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, Pave pools as clear as air-- How a child wishes To live down there! We can see our colored faces Floating on the shaken pool Down in cool places, Dim and very cool; Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out. See the rings pursue each other; All below grows black as night, Just as if mother Had blown out the light! Patience, children, just a minute-- See the spreading circles die; The stream and all in it Will clear by-and-by.