A river runs upon its way Thro’ fertile fields and meadows gay;— Among the sweetly-scented bowers, And where the sunlight soothes the flowers. It dances merrily along And sings sweet Solitude a song; But ere it meets the distant shore, Its current changes more and more; The stones that in its course now lie It must rush over or pass by; And while it meets them one by one Dark clouds obscure the shining sun; The sparkling waters lose their charm, No more to frolic free from harm; For threatening storm has come at last,— The river rushes madly past Thro’ cities and thro’ distant towns, As tho’ it would escape its bounds; But storm will cease and mists will clear Till hidden sun shall reappear, And that same river, calm and free, Shall flow in fullness to the sea. Thus runs the current of my life Thro’ sun and shade, in calm and strife; At first among the flowers gay It sparkles freely on its way; But while it sings its happy song, And glides so peacefully along, The obstacles and clouds appear To hinder and deprive of cheer. When all the barriers have been passed, And threatening storms have ceased at last, My life, more full, and calm, and free, Shall end it’s course beyond the Sea.