The Stream of Life

Oh silvery streamlet of the fields,
That flowest full and free,
For thee the rains of spring return,
The summer dews for thee ;
And when thy latest blossoms die
In autumn's chilly showers,
The winter fountains gush for thee,
Till May brings back the flowers.

O Stream of Life ! the violet springs
But once beside thy bed ;
But one brief summer, on thy path,
The dews of heaven are shed.
Thy parent fountains shrink away,
And close their crystal veins,
And where thy glittering current flowed
The dust alone remains.

William Cullen Bryant

Biography

William Cullen Bryant was born in Cummington MA on November 3, 1792. He was the son of Dr Peter Bryant who served in both the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives. William Cullen Bryant attended Williams College for two years before leaving to persue law studies under Judge Howe of Worthington and Mr. William Baylies of Bridgewater. Bryant was first published at the age of 12 in the Hampshire Gazette. His first major work entitled "Thanatopsis" was written in his 18th year.