Six boats are on the river,
Seven maidens on the shore,
While still above them steadfastly
The stars shine evermore.
Go, little boats, go soft and safe,
And guard the symbol spark!
The boats aright go safe and bright
Across the waters dark.
The river floweth on.

VII.

The maiden Luti watcheth
Where onwardly they float:
That look in her dilating eyes
Might seem to drive her boat:
Her eyes still mark the constant fire,
And kindling unawares
That hopeful while, she lets a smile
Creep silent through her prayers.
The river floweth on.

VIII.

The smile--where hath it wandered?
She riseth from her knee,
She holds her dark, wet locks away--
There is no light to see!
She cries a quick and bitter cry--
"Nuleeni, launch me thine!
We must have light abroad to-night,
For all the wreck of mine."
The river floweth on.

IX.

"I do remember watching
Beside this river-bed
When on my childish knee was leaned
My dying father's head;
I turned mine own to keep the tears
From falling on his face:
What doth it prove when Death and Love
Choose out the self-same place?"
The river floweth on.

X.

"They say the dead are joyful
The death-change here receiving:
Who say--ah me! who dare to say
Where joy comes to the living?
Thy boat, Nuleeni! look not sad--
Light up the waters rather!
I weep no faithless lover where
I wept a loving father."
The river floweth on.

XI.

"My heart foretold his falsehood
Ere my little boat grew dim;
And though I closed mine eyes to dream
That one last dream of _him_,
They shall not now be wet to see
The shining vision go:
From earth's cold love I look above
To the holy house of snow."[2]
The river floweth on.

XII.

"Come thou--thou never knewest
A grief, that thou shouldst fear one!
Thou wearest still the happy look
That shines beneath a dear one:
Thy humming-bird is in the sun,[3]
Thy cuckoo in the grove,
And all the three broad worlds, for thee
Are full of wandering love."
The river floweth on.

XIII.