The River

The river flows forever;
The moon upon it shines, —
One walks beside the river
With heart that longs and pines.

A breeze moves on the river;
The moon shakes in its flow, —
He grieves and grieves forever.
For days of long ago.

The softly lapsing river,
It whispers in its flow
Of dear days gone forever.
Those days of long ago.

He listens to the river;
A spirit seems to say:
"Forever, Love, forever.
Some day, some blessed day!"

Between the moon and river
The spirit seems to glide, —
He cries, " To-night, forever,
I'll clasp thee, O my bride!"

And the happy pilgrim river,
As it journeys toward the sea,
Sings, " Ever and forever.
Together they shall be!"