Library of the best American literature / Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturers

by Unknown

Away where the old tree’s roots were bare

In the waters dark and deep;

The sunshine flashed upon its face,

And played with flickering leaf—

Well pleased to dally in its path,

Though the tarrying were brief.

“Now stay thy feet, oh restless one,

Where droops the spreading tree,

And let thy liquid voice reveal

Thy story unto me.”