36. Looking-glass River. Stevenson, Robert Louis. 1913. A Child’s Garden of Verses and Underwoods

Stevenson, Robert Louis (1850–1894). A Child’s Garden of Verses and Underwoods. 1913.

36. Looking-glass River

SMOOTH it slides upon its travel,
Here a wimple, there a gleam—
O the clean gravel!
O the smooth stream!

Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,	5
Paven pools as clear as air—
How a child wishes
To live down there!

We can see our coloured faces
Floating on the shaken pool	10
Down in cool places,
Dim and very cool;

Till a wind or water wrinkle,
Dipping marten, plumping trout,
Spreads in a twinkle	15
And blots all out.

See the rings pursue each other;
All below grows black as night,
Just as if mother
Had blown out the light!	20

Patience, children, just a minute—
See the spreading circles die;
The stream and all in it
Will clear by-and-by.