The Forest Pool

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LEAN down and see your little face
  Reflected in the forest pool,
Tall foxgloves grow about the place,
  Forget-me-nots grow green and cool.
Look deep and see the naiad rise
To meet the sunshine of your eyes.


Lean down and see how you are fair,
  How gold your hair, your mouth how red;
See the leaves dance about your hair
  The wind has left unfilleted.
What naiad of them can compare
With you for good and dear and fair?


Ah! look no more--the water stirs,
  The naiad weeps your face to see,
Your beauty is more rare than hers,
  And you are more beloved than she.
Fly! fly, before she steals the charms
The pool has trusted to her arms.

© Edith Nesbit