Cleaving like darts their swift and silvery way

With sudden gleams, and barbs of glittering spray,

They hurry to the brink, and swift are lost

In that stupendous leap, that infinite holocaust!

Oh Christ-like glory of the praying water

That leaps forever to its mystic death!

And from the anguish of that sobbing slaughter

Lifts the clear glory of the torrent’s breath,

Where like a paean of rapturous victory calls

The solemn jubilation of the falls!