The Silver Birch

O SILVER one, O silver one,
    Above the valley of the Bane:
O stem with snow-water agleam,
    And glistening limbs, and trails of pearl.

The sun has sent a slanting kiss:
    Red fire and gold, his arrows burn:
Now that he aims a shaft at thee,
    Red fire and gold to silver turn!

When I am spent with the ways of men.
    I'll wash my hands in melting snow:
And live with thee among the oaks,
    And watch the river swirl below.

But I must ever be travelling
From sea to sea, from shoal to shoal:
Farewell ! O still and beautiful,
I would thy valley were my goal!