Close beside the meeting waters, 
Long I stood, as in a dream, 
Watching how the little river 
Fell into the broader stream. 

Calm and still the mingled current, 
Glided to the waiting sea; 
On its breast serenely pictured 
Floating cloud and skirting tree.

And I thought, “O human spirit!
Strong and deep and pure and blest,
Let the stream of my existence
Blend with thine, and find its rest!”

I could die as dies the river,
In that current deep and wide;
I would live as live its waters,
Flashing from a stronger tide!