Classic Poem

Upon the Horicon's calm breast
All day we sailed and dreamed,
Idly, as o'er Black Mountain's crest
The gray clouds slowly streamed.

The circling hills stood firm and strong,
Like brothers banded there
In silent guard lest any wrong
The lake, their sister fair.

Up through the water to the eye
The shining pebbles showed;
Sweet was the air, and sweetly by
The hours, like ripples, flowed.

Then did I find a clearer deep
Reflected in your eye,
Where thoughts, like islands, half asleep,
Drowsed in serenity.

So seemed your life so like the lake,
As potent to allure!
May it as gently sleep and wake,
As fair, as deep, as pure.