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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SEAS OF ENGLAND by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SEAS OF ENGLAND ARE OUR OLD DELIGHT
Last Line: TO ALL EARTH'S SHIPS THAT SAILING HEAVE IN SIGHT!

The seas of England are our old delight;
Let the loud billow of the shingly shore
Sing freedom on her breezes evermore
To all earth's ships that sailing heave in sight!

The gaunt sea-nettle be our fortitude,
Sturdily blowing where the clear wave sips;
O, be the glory of our men and ships
Rapturous, woe-unheeding hardihood!

There is great courage in a land that hath
Liberty guarded by the unearthly seas;
And ev'n to find peace at the last in these
How many a sailor hath sailed down to death!

Their names are like a splendour in old song;
Their record shines like bays along the years;
Their jubilation is the cry man hears
Sailing sun-fronted the vast deeps among.

The seas of England are our old delight;
Let the loud billow of the shingly shore
Sing freedom on her breezes evermore
To all earth's ships that sailing heave in sight!



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