Poems (Hardy)/The emigrant exiles
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
THE EMIGRANT EXILES
LANDWARD, at dawn, we saw the forests cloud
The high horizon's rim; we heard the song
Of waking birds upon the shore and watched the long
Low wave that lapping went with whisper loud
Up to the rocks of purple gray; and proud
Our canvas swelled to pass the savage throng
Of monsters set with plan to do us wrong
By some grim power those regions dire allowed.
A sapphire sky bending a friendly dome
Above an island where life's daily task
May be, in peace, with simple comfort done—
A kindly sea for us encircling home;
O, these are all our wayworn spirits ask!
Comes hope again with yonder rising sun?
The high horizon's rim; we heard the song
Of waking birds upon the shore and watched the long
Low wave that lapping went with whisper loud
Up to the rocks of purple gray; and proud
Our canvas swelled to pass the savage throng
Of monsters set with plan to do us wrong
By some grim power those regions dire allowed.
A sapphire sky bending a friendly dome
Above an island where life's daily task
May be, in peace, with simple comfort done—
A kindly sea for us encircling home;
O, these are all our wayworn spirits ask!
Comes hope again with yonder rising sun?