Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BELL AT SEA by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN THE TIDE'S BILLOWY SWELL
Last Line: STERN THOUGH IT BE!
Subject(s): BELLS; SEA; OCEAN;
WHEN the tide's billowy swell
Had reached its height,
Then tolled the rock's lone bell
Sternly by night.

Far over cliff and surge
Swept the deep sound,
Making each wild wind's dirge
Still more profound.

Yet that funereal tone
The sailor blessed,
Steering through darkness on
With fearless breast.

E'en so may we, that float
On life's wide sea,
Welcome each warning note,
Stern though it be!



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