Poems (Hardy)/The emigrant exiles
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 longLow wave that lapping went with whisper loudUp to the rocks of purple gray; and proud Our canvas swelled to pass the savage throng Of monsters set with plan to do us wrongBy 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?