All light or transient gloom - no hint of storm - White wreaths of foam, born in blue waters, broke Among the mountain shadows; all bespoke A summer's day on Mona and the Orme. My open window overlook'd the rails, When, suddenly, a cattle-train went by, Rapt, in a moment, from my pitying eye, As from their lowing mates in Irish vales; Close-pack'd and mute they stood, as close as bees, Bewilder'd with their fright and narrow room; 'Twas sad to see that meek-eyed hecatomb, So fiercely hurried past our summer seas, Our happy bathers, and our fresh sea-breeze, And hills of blooming heather, to their doom. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTENTMENT, AFTER THE MANNER OF HORACE by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY THIRD BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 23 by THOMAS CAMPION THE OLD ARM-CHAIR by ELIZA COOK AT CANDLE-LIGHTIN' TIME by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE CHOIRMASTER'S BURIAL by THOMAS HARDY ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 2. TO SLEEP by MARK AKENSIDE MY WIFE'S COUSIN, SELECTION by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN |