Smooth it glides upon its travel, br Here a wimple, there a gleam-- br O the clean gravel! br O the smooth stream! br br Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, br Pave pools as clear as air-- br How a child wishes br To live down there! br br We can see our colored faces br Floating on the shaken pool br Down in cool places, br Dim and very cool; br br Till a wind or water wrinkle, br Dipping marten, plumping trout, br Spreads in a twinkle br And blots all out. br br See the rings pursue each other; br All below grows black as night, br Just as if mother br Had blown out the light! br br Patience, children, just a minute-- br See the spreading circles die; br The stream and all in it br Will clear by-and-by.