The mullet and the tarpon, the swift and tremulous trout,
Dash eagerly to mount thy wave, and lithely splash about,
To manifest their joy in thee and their abounding life,
So glad bestowed on them by thee, so free from doubtful strife.
The mocking-bird and robin both join their sweetest song
With the lowly rune of river flow, alluring, deep and long;
The eagle-hawk doth watch thee with close, unblinking eye,
And for his profit plunges swift, then soars up toward the sky.
The trim blue heron in thy waves doth lave his weary feet;
From thy cooling water takes his food and feels himself complete