Thou Royal River, born of sun and shower
       &nbsp In chambers purple with the Alpine glow,
       &nbsp Wrapped in the spotless ermine of the snow
       &nbsp And rocked by tempests!—at the appointed hour
Forth, like a steel-clad horseman from a tower,
       &nbsp With clang and clink of harness dost thou go
       &nbsp To meet thy vassal torrents, that below
       &nbsp Rush to receive thee and obey thy power.
And now thou movest in triumphal march,
       &nbsp A king among the rivers! On thy way
       &nbspA hundred towns await and welcome thee;
Bridges uplift for thee the stately arch,
       &nbsp Vineyards encircle thee with garlands gay,
       &nbsp And fleets attend thy progress to the sea!