Explore "A Ripple Song" by Rudyard Kipling on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
/ Once a ripple came to land / In the golden sunset burning -- / Lapped against a maiden's hand, / By the ford returning.
/ Dainty foot and gentle breast -- / Here, across, be glad and rest. / "Maiden, wait," the ripple saith. / "Wait awhile, for I am Death!"
/ "Where my lover calls I go -- / Shame it were to treat him coldly -- / 'Twas a fish that circled so, / Turning over boldly."
/ Dainty foot and tender heart, / Wait the loaded ferry-cart. / "Wait, ah, wait! " the ripple saith; / "Maiden, wait, for I am Death!"
/ "When my lover calls I haste -- / Dame Disdain was never wedded! " / Ripple-ripple round her waist, / Clear the current eddied.
/ Foolish heart and faithful hand, / Little feet that touched no land. / Far away the ripple sped, / Ripple -- ripple -- running red!