  A SONG OF THE SEAThe mystic sea is singing its golden song to me; I bend to catch its murmur in silent ecstasy; Till, as the music ringeth in sweet and solemn tone, An answering echo waketh a music all mine own! The sea sings softly, softly upon my listening ear, And still its notes fall ever in cadence full and clear. The song that waxeth stronger within my beating heart Seems but a second measure—seems of the sea a part! And far from all the burdens that day brings in its train, My soul hath found Elysium—renews its youth again! I hear the golden billows beat on the rock-bound shore, And still my heart is singing that sweet song o'er and o'er! O happy Youth, how quickly the sands of life have run! The shades of eve are falling ere yet the day is done! The golden sea eternal beats loud and strong and free, And bears upon its bosom a joy eternally! THE SPIRIT OF THE WATER'Tis the Spirit of the Water! it breathes upon the sea; As phantom in its motions it glides mysteriously! I see the snow-clad islands that deck the opal bay, And the Spirit of the Water now robed in mist and spray. The charm that clings eternal to ocean fills my soul, As mist-wreathed waves in grandeur pass on unto their goal! Ye phantoms on Life's ocean! how like the mist ye seem, As backward turneth memory across Life's glow and gleam! For ye figure forth Life's pleasures, its cares, its tears and pain, And recall with all their glamour Youth's joyous dreams again! While still the fateful presence glides on across the wave, Nor lifts its veil of mystery until we reach the grave! O speak! is it endeavor, or is it blighted faith? Or is it but the passing of pain—this silent wraith? We know not, oh, we know not here, for o'er Life's restless sea We too glide on, as phantoms all, this side Eternity! WITH THE TIDECalm seas that lie 'neath summer skies And mirror back those skies to me, Upon whose breast white sails arise And glide like spirits grand and free. Calm seas beneath whose hidden deep Are wonders far beyond my ken, There, rocked in murmuring currents, sleep The secrets not revealed to men! Peace, like a white-winged dove descends And hovers o'er the waters bright, While glory of the sunset blends With tones of the approaching night. My glad soul bids thee welcome, and Goes forth upon the ocean's tide! Far from the care that fills the land, To where my spirit would abide! Till, as the cares of day depart And the glad sea its greeting calls, I rise unshackled, strong of heart, And from my life the burden falls! Thus in this quiet nook I find All that I longed and sought in vain In the world's haunts, my soul to bind, And, seeking, found but grief and pain. Now, like a blessing falls thy grace, O grand, beloved, glorious sea! Drawn by thy message, face to face, My longing greets thy mystery! GRAND MANAN(1881) O solemn cliffs of Grand Manan! In silent might ye rise, As bounded by th' eternal sea And by the azure skies! Like a proud soul that stands apart, Unknown, unloved, unsought, Ye guard your stronghold silently Through many battles fought. The sea-gull sweeps across your wall, And seaward shapes his course! While at your feet the waves beat loud In measure wild and hoarse. O solemn heights! O grand and calm! Ye hold my heart in thrall! And not a sound is heard beyond The ocean's rise and fall. But as the waves beat strong and loud Upon your rugged shore, Through it the sea's sad monotone I hear forevermore! The sunset glow hath kissed your heights, As loth to leave you yet; And, bathed in glories red and gold, The eve and you have met. The boat speeds on—we may not stay, But from my brooding heart Your image, while this life remains, Can nevermore depart! LEEWARDO for the bounding wave, and the salt, salt spray on my face! For the sweep of the filling sail, and its free, untrammeled pace! For the life that hath no bound to its path but the open sea; For the soul as free as air, that by right belongs to me! For power to cast aside these fetters dark and strong, To bound over heaving deep—and no more to feel the thong That cuts through the quivering heart and the restless soul, as well! I yearn for a fuller life, with a might I cannot quell! O for the bounding wave, and the salt, salt spray on my face! For the strength to grasp and hold the plan of a waning race. For might to compel the tide in its turn to serve my will, That my heart of the fountain deep, may drink to the brim its fill! |
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