Whither?
from The German Of Müller
Whither? - meaning Summary
Following a Tempting Brook
A speaker describes hearing a clear, rushing brook that irresistibly draws him down the valley. He loses his sense of direction as the stream’s sound soothes and distracts him, imagining water-nymphs singing beneath him. Rather than resist, he yields to the brook’s charm and accepts the mingled music of nature and human industry—the brook’s murmur and the mill-wheels—finding pleasure in wandering with it.
Read Complete AnalysesI heard a brooklet gushing From its rocky fountain near, Down into the valley rushing, So fresh and wondrous clear. I know not what came o'er me, Nor who the counsel gave; But I must hasten downward, All with my pilgrim-stave; Downward, and ever farther, And ever the brook beside; And ever fresher murmured, And ever clearer, the tide. Is this the way I was going? Whither, O brooklet, say I Thou hast, with thy soft murmur, Murmured my senses away. What do I say of a murmur? That can no murmur be; 'Tis the water-nymphs, that are singing Their roundelays under me. Let them sing, my friend, let them murmur, And wander merrily near; The wheels of a mill are going In every brooklet clear.
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