Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ALL'S WELL by WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER

First Line: EIGHT BELLS! EIGHT BELLS! THEIR CLEAR TONE TELLS
Last Line: "ALL'S WELL! ALL'S WELL!"
Subject(s): SEA VOYAGES;

EIGHT BELLS! Eight bells! their clear tone tells
The midnight hour is here,
And as they cease, these words of peace
Fall gently on my ear—
"All's well! All's well!"

Fond thoughts fly far, where loved ones are,
Though distant, ever near,
From those dear homes the echo comes,
Our longing hearts to cheer—
"All's well! All's well!"

Swift through the deep our course we keep,
To shores unseen we steer,
No thought of ill our souls shall chill,
Nor wind nor wave we fear—
"All's well! All's well!"

Thus o'er life's sea our voyage may be
A pathway lone and drear,
Through tempest loud and sorrow's cloud,
Faith still shall whisper near—
"All's well! All's well!"

And when for me, earth, sky, and sea
Shall fade and disappear,
May this sweet note still downward float,
From some undying sphere—
"All's well! All's well!"



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