Niagara by A.H.W. [Augustine Henry Wald?]

WRITTEN FOR THE CRAFTSMAN

Ye giant waves that from yon dizzy height,
So wildly plunge to seek th’ abyss below,
In whiring eddies raging as ye flow,
And reeling onwards in thy giddy flight,
How beauteous are ye in your majesty !
Dashing from rock to rock the foaming spray,
Waking eternal musick on your way!
And so thou’st done from all eternity ;
And yet, why dost such beauteous charms bestow
On scenes like these? so rude, so rough, so wild,
Where rocks on rocks together, careless piled,
Oppose your current as you wildly go.
Why seek ye not some smoother placid way,
Thro’ some sweet grove, or thro’ some flow’ry bed,
Who ‘d lead you on your pleasing path to tread,
To your far bourne, with milder, gentler sway ?
But ah! ye still go madly roaring on,
But never wearied with your stern delight,
So reckless, heedless, in your spirit’s might,
Ye give not ear unto my plaintive tone.

Source: The Craftsman, March 3, 1829

The poem is signed A.H.W.  A.H.W. is believed to be Augustine Henry Wald, who is known to have written for The Craftsman.