Classic Poem

They laugh! They leap! The clear
Cool lapping water parts:
One after one, each starts
From his place on the grass, and sheer
Leaps from the bank without fear.

Their lithe arms slip like blades,
Their glowing bodies skim
Up from the clear and dim
Caverns of quivering shades,
And the sedges' secret beds.

One stands aglow with the sun,
His white shape gleamingly wet,
Like alabaster set
Against dark grass, and one
Splashes him, wild with fun.

And now like statues glowing,
Slim and lithe and free,
They race exultingly,
Their proud heads backward throwing —
Happy, untrammelled, unknowing.

The loud lark's sunny voice
Shivers out of the sky;
The lush grass meadows lie
Lulled in his lovely noise.
O day that art passing by,
Hold fast in memory
The wonderful vivid poise
Of naked bathing boys!