Furred with frost, beside the path, 
Little poles of grass conduct 
The foot along. Here leaves lie flattened 
Clammy brown, with whitened veins, 
Here a stream, unfrozen still, 
Crosses the path, and tumbles straight 
Into the bushes.  After that you round a bend 
And the sudden sea displayed
Ripples in the sudden sunlight, 
Miles on glittering miles of light,
Scattered back to the sky; 
Looking like laughter to the eye, 
Raising feelings like laughter in the heart. 
The sea whose currents lick 
Round continents, and flow 
Underneath the ice-capped pole, 
Raise storms of wind 
In sleepy coves, and hurl blue tons 
Of water on the rocks, 
Now in the winter sun 
Coils sparkling, and makes laughter seem 
The rule and truth of things, 
Makes sunlight and laughter seem the truth 
And rule of things for ever.