Deeply hidden in a woodland,Is a fountain pure and sweet;Its depths are placid and serene,With mossy brim of velvet sheen,Where fairies love to dance, I ween,And fabled wood-nymphs meet.
The deepest shadows lingerWithin this silvan nook;And scarcely can a sunbeam bright,Or twinkling watcher of the night,Or the moon's soft bewitching lightUpon its surface look.
Each grand old forest monarchA silent sentry stands;'And far above its waters deep,Where mirrored beauties ever sleep,Its cloistered secrecy to keep,They clasp their leafy hands.
A group of pleasure-seekersOnce sought this cool retreat,When, through the over-hanging trees,The gently-sighing summer breezeSang softly, tuneful melodiesIn whispers low and sweet.
And one, a brown-eyed maiden,Was building castles bright;Far into the future glancing,Giving us views entrancing,While over us all were dancingThe shadows flecked with light.
Beside her, on a grassy mound,Reclined a handsome youth;And he the untried future scanned,And for himself a pathway planned,—A bright career, a life-work grand,Wealth, happiness, forsooth.
And we who sat and listenedWere dreaming, too, the while—Youth's dreams, so fair and flowery—Of love, the old, old story;Or heights of fame and glory,And fickle Fortune's smile.
Ah, nevermore will come againThe brightness of those years!Those halcyon days are vanished all!The pictures which our hearts recall—We see each cherished structure fall,Through unavailing tears.
And now, how gladly would we seekThe well of "Loch Maree,"And in its mystic waters kindLeave all our fretting cares behind;A cure for all life's trials find,—Peace and humility.
O give us faith to look beyondThe fleeting things we see!When fever-fires our hearts are burning,From maddening paths of folly turning,The truer aims of life discerning,Our God we come to thee!
