THOU art as a lone watcher on a rock, With Saxon hair back floating in the wind, Gazing where stranger ships, to doom consigned, Upon the sullen ledges grind and knock. Fair were the barks round which the breakers flock, Rich freights had they of treasure for mankind, And gallant were the hearts that left behind The sea's broad buffet for the channel's shock. Slow, slow the ship that brings thy liberties Cuts the white tempest or the bright, blue brine, And wanders oft before the whelming storm, And ever the swift straits and shallows flees. But near, more near, the haven's sheltering line, Up the long sea-curve rides its stately form. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRELUDE; FOR GEOFFREY GORER by EDITH SITWELL SONG FIRST BY A SHEPHERD by WILLIAM BLAKE FRIENDSHIP by RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE THREE LITTLE KITTENS (A CAT'S TALE, WITH ADDITIONS) by ELIZA LEE CABOT FOLLEN THE BEGGAR'S OPERA: SONG. AIR 16: OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY by JOHN GAY A SOUL'S SOLILOQUY by WENONAH STEVENS ABBOTT |