Its limpid clearness faded to dull gray,
And scarce a darting minnow remained in it,
And losing all its freshness, became foul;
To even bathe the hands it was unfit.
And scarce a darting minnow remained in it,
And losing all its freshness, became foul;
To even bathe the hands it was unfit.
And poisoned by the hand of man it grew
To be a sad menace to life and health;
And as it sped to join the glittering lake
It entered sluggishly, as if by stealth:
To be a sad menace to life and health;
And as it sped to join the glittering lake
It entered sluggishly, as if by stealth:
Staining its bosom with a muddy cloud,
And poisoning the fish along its banks.
It had received from every living thing,
Except the hand of man, most gracious thanks.
And poisoning the fish along its banks.
It had received from every living thing,
Except the hand of man, most gracious thanks.
48
