The Water-Babies
By Charles Kingsley
A young chimney sweep falls into a river and transforms into a water-baby, embarking on a moral and spiritual journey.
Table of Contents
“I heard a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sate reclined; In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind. “To her fair w...
“And is there care in heaven? and is there love In heavenly spirits to these creatures base That may compassion of their evils move? There is:—else much more wretched w...
“He prayeth well who loveth well Both men and bird and beast; He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small: For the dear God who loveth us, H...
“Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; Our meddling intellect Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things We murder to dissect. Enough of science and of art: Clo...
“Stern Lawgiver! yet thou dost wear The Godhead’s most benignant grace; Nor know we anything so fair As is the smile upon thy face: Flowers ...
“Thou little child, yet glorious in the night Of heaven-born freedom on thy Being’s height, Why with such earnest pains dost thou provoke The Years to bring the inevita...
“And Nature, the old Nurse, took The child upon her knee, Saying, ‘Here is a story book Thy father hath written for thee. “‘Come wander with me,’ she said, ...
“Come to me, O ye children! For I hear you at your play; And the questions that perplexed me Have vanished quite away. “Ye open the Eastern windows, T...