NIGHT BY THE SEA

I woke in the black watches of the night

And heard the low intoning of the main,

A muffled heart-beat, an unceasing strain

Of music keyed to dolor and delight.

Now sorrow seemed ascendent, now the height

Of rapture beat in the sublime refrain,

Until the whole world's happiness and pain

Had echoed utterance while the dark took flight.

Then in the sound of that reiterant surge

I marked my own life's flux of bliss and woe —

Grief's long drawn sigh and joy's exultant call;

Till borne by dreams beyond the vast sea verge

I touched those shores the blest immortals know

Where youth and love have triumph over all.