I. THE sea is a jovial comrade, He laughs wherever he goes; His merriment shines in the dimpling lines That wrinkle his hale repose; He lays himself down at the feet of the Sun, And shakes all over with glee, And the broad-backed billows fall faint on the shore, In the mirth of the mighty Sea! II. But the Wind is sad and restless, And cursed with an inward pain; You may hark as you will, by valley or hill, But you hear him still complain. He wails on the barren mountains, And shrieks on the wintry sea; He sobs in the cedar, and moans in the pine. And shudders all over the aspen tree. III. Welcome are both their voices, And I know not which is best, -- The laughter that slips from the Ocean's lips, Or the comfortless Wind's unrest. There's a pang in all rejoicing, A joy in the heart of pain, And the Wind that saddens, the Sea that gladdens, Are singing the selfsame strain! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DRAW THE SWORD, O REPUBLIC by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE NYMPH COMPLAINING FOR THE DEATH OF HER FAUN [OR, FAWN] by ANDREW MARVELL 23RD STREET RUNS INTO HEAVEN by KENNETH PATCHEN THE WOUND-DRESSER by WALT WHITMAN HALVING IT WITH WITHER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF 27 B.C. by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |