Of the sparkling wavelets, that fled so fast,

I could not number them as they passed.

But I marked the things which they carried by;

And a neat little skiff first caught my eye.

'Twas woven of reeds, and its sides were bound

By a tender vine, that had clasped it round;

And spreading within, had made it seem

A basket of leaves, borne down the stream.

And the skiff had neither a sail nor oar;

But a bright little boy stood up, and bore,