Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79.

Derwent, the River

To the River Derwent

By William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

AMONG the mountains were we nursed, loved Stream!

Thou near the eagle’s nest,—within brief sail,

I, of his bold wing floating on the gale,

Where thy deep voice could lull me! Faint the beam

Of human life when first allowed to gleam

On mortal notice. Glory of the vale,

Such thy meek outset, with a crown, though frail,

Kept in perpetual verdure by the steam

Of thy soft breath! Less vivid wreath entwined

Nemæan victor’s brow; less bright was worn

Meed of some Roman chief, in triumph borne

With captives chained, and shedding from his car

The sunset splendors of a finished war

Upon the proud enslavers of mankind!