Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-07-09
A SEASIDE IDYL.

wandered TO the shore. nor knew then
What my desire,-whether for wild lament,
Or sweet regret; ret; to IN the idle pause
And watch the 1iowing tide the passing sails
Or to impiore the air. and sea- and sky
For that eternal passion in their power
Which souls nke mine who ponder on their fate
May feel. and be as they-gods to themselves
Thither went, whatever was my mood
The sands, the rocks, and beds of bending sedge
Impelled to leave soft foam. compelled away
1 saw alone Between the East and West.
Along the beach no creature moved besides
High on the eastern point lighthouse shone;
Steered BY its lamp ship stood out to sea,
And vanished from its rays towards the deep.
While in the west, above wooded ISLE
An island cloud hung in the emerald sky,
Hiding pale venus in its sombre shade
wandered up and down the sands, / loitered
Among the rocks, and trampled through tht
sedge;
Il will go hence thought; the Elements
Have lost their charm; my soul is dead tonight
oh passive, creeping Sea, and stagnant Air,
Farewell, Dull sands, and rocks, and sedge
farewell
Homeward turned my face, but stayed my feet
Should go back but to revive again
The ancient pain? Hark! suddenly there came
From over sea. sound like that of speech;
And suddenly felt my pulses leap
As though some Presence were approaching me
Loud as the voice of Oceans dark haired king
breeze came down the sea,-the sea rose high
The surginS waves sang round me-this theil
song:
-On, yet your love VIII triumph! lie snail come
In loves wild tumult, he shall come once more -
By tracks of ocean, or by paths of EARTH
The wanderer viii reach you and remain
The breakers dashed among the rocks, and they,
Seemed full of life; the foam dissolved the sands
And the sedge trembled in the swelling tide
Was this a promise of the Wanting Sea,
Or the Illusion of a last deSpairi
Either, or both, still homeward must go,
And that way turned mine eyes, and thought
they met
\ picture,-surely so,-or was mad
The crimson harvest moon was rising full
Above my ROOT, and glimmered on my walls.
Within the doorway stood a man l knew
No picture this saw approaching me
Him had hoped for, grieved for, and despaired.
My ship Is wrecked he cried 'and return
Never to leave my love. You are my lover
i too am wrecked | sighed by lonely years.
Returning you but find another wreck
He bent his face to search my own, he spake:
What have trayersed sea and land to find,
find. For liberty fought, and life
On savage shores, and wastes Of unknown seas,
While waiting for this hour. Oh think you not
Immortal love mates with immortal love
Always? And now, at last, we learn this love"
My soul was filling with mighty joy
/ could not shOw-yet must show myloye.
From You whose will divided broke our hearts
now demand a different kiss from that
Which then you said should be our parting kiss.
Given, ] VOW the past shall be forgot
The kiss-and we are one! Give me the kiss"
Like the dark rocks upon the sands he stood,
When on his breast fell; and kissed his lips.
All the wild clangor of the sea was hushed;
The rapid silver waves ran each to each,
Lapsed in the deep with joyous, murmured
sighs.
Years of repentance mine, forgiveness his,
70 tell. Happy, We paced the tranquil shores,
Till, between sea aud sky we saw the sun,
And all our wiser, loving days began.
-PufHdiH's Md1azine.