The Rapid

ALL peacefully gliding,
The waters dividing,
The indolent batteau moved slowly along,
The rowers, light-hearted,
From sorrow long parted,

Beguiled the dull moments with laughter and song :
" Hurrah for the Rapid ! that merrily, merrily,
Gambols and leaps on its tortuous way;
Soon we will enter it, cheerily, cheerily,
Pleased with its freshness, and wet with its spray."

More swiftly careering,
The wild Rapid nearing,
They dash down the stream like a terrified steed ;
The surges delight them,
No terrors affright them,

Their voices keep pace with their quickening speed :
" Hurrah for the Rapid ! that merrily, merrily
Shivers its arrows against us in play ;
Now we have entered it cheerily, cheerily,
Our spirits as light as its feathery spray."

Fast downward they're dashing,
Each fearless eye flashing,
Though danger awaits them on every side ;
Yon rock — see it frowning !
They strike — they are drowning !

But downward they speed with the merciless tide :
No voice cheers the Rapid, that angrily, angrily
Shivers their bark in its maddening play ;
Gaily they entered it — heedlessly, recklessly,
Mingling their lives with its treacherous spray !