To The River Rhone

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

    Thou Royal River, born of sun and shower
        In chambers purple with the Alpine glow,
        Wrapped in the spotless ermine of the snow
        And rocked by tempests!--at the appointed hour
    Forth, like a steel-clad horseman from a tower,
        With clang and clink of harness dost thou go
        To meet thy vassal torrents, that below
        Rush to receive thee and obey thy power.
    And now thou movest in triumphal march,
        A king among the rivers!    On thy way
        A hundred towns await and welcome thee;
    Bridges uplift for thee the stately arch,
        Vineyards encircle thee with garlands gay,
        And fleets attend thy progress to the sea!