Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Switzerland and Austria: Vol. XVI. 1876–79.

Switzerland: Handeck, the Falls

The Fall of the Aar

By William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

FROM the fierce aspect of this river, throwing

His giant body o’er the steep rock’s brink,

Back in astonishment and fear we shrink:

But, gradually a calmer look bestowing,

Flowers we espy beside the torrent growing;

Flowers that peep forth from many a cleft and chink,

And, from the whirlwind of his anger, drink

Hues ever fresh, in rocky fortress blowing:

They suck—from breath that, threatening to destroy,

Is more benignant than the dewy eve—

Beauty, and life, and motions as of joy:

Nor doubt but He to whom you pine-trees nod

Their heads in sign of worship, Nature’s God,

These humbler adorations will receive.