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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CAPE COD by GEORGE SANTAYANA

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE LOW SANDY BEACH AND THE THIN SCRUB PINE
Last Line: WHAT WILL BECOME OF MAN?
Subject(s): CAPE COD;

The low sandy beach and the thin scrub pine,
The wide reach of bay and the long sky line, --
O, I am far from home!

The salt, salt smell of the thick sea air,
And the smooth round stones that the ebbtides wear, --
When will the good ship come?

The wretched stumps all charred and burned,
And the deep soft rut where the cartwheel turned, --
Why is the world so old?

The lapping wave, and the broad gray sky
Where the cawing crows and the slow gulls fly, --
Where are the dead untold?

The thin, slant willows by the flooded bog,
The huge stranded hulk and the floating log, --
Sorrow with life began!

And among the dark pines, and along the flat shore,
O the wind, and the wind, for evermore!
What will become of man?





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