Poems (Hinxman)/The Fisherman's Bride
For works with similar titles, see The Fisherman's Bride.
THE FISHERMAN'S BRIDE.A FRAGMENT.
Among the rocks that fenced that lonely shore, A pleasant nook the fisherman had found;There blew the heath-bell, there the ocean's roar Was softened to a low complying sound.
And there he built his cabin, with what art For grace or comfort his own hand supplied,Taught by the earnest motions of his heart For her who should dwell there, his youthful bride.
"Here will she live," he murmured as he wrought, "In these smooth sands, these cliffs, this rolling seaWill find her joy, nor once in word or thought Regret the inland fields she left for me."
And here she came; and like an April gleam Shone on the solitary place, and madeHis life as calm and happy as a dream Dreamt by a child at noontide in the shade.
Her smile within his heart went o'er the seas, Colouring with beauty all his lonely day;Its power was stronger than the tide or breeze To speed his oar at evening to the bay.
******
SEQUEL.
ADDED SOME YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Thus far the Muse had wound her placid rhymes, Thus far the picture drawn, in light alone;Then, frail of purpose, left to after-times The touch of shadow and the stronger tone.
So let it rest;—whate'er she held in store, What worthier fruit might deepening pathos give,Be this resigned for ever, evermore, And only let the simple spring-tide live.
Still hold, fair scene, thy prime of happiness; Stand, smiling bride, with welcome on the beach;And let the dancing boat still shoreward press, And the glad boatman's gaze before it reach.
One farewell sunbeam, slanting past her hair, Plays on the hand with which he shades his eyes,While Hesper on the cliff stands large and fair, And clasps their little world into the skies.
Dec. 10. 1851.