The Pool And The Soul.
By Victor-Marie Hugo
("Comme dans les tangs.")
[X., May, 1839.]
As in some stagnant pool by forest-side,
In human souls two things are oft descried;
The sky, - which tints the surface of the pool
With all its rays, and all its shadows cool;
The basin next, - where gloomy, dark and deep,
Through slime and mud black reptiles vaguely creep.
R.F. HODGSON