ON REVISITING THE SEA-SHORE

God be with thee, gladsome Ocean!

How gladly greet I thee once more!

Ships and waves, and ceaseless motion,

And men rejoicing on thy shore.

Dissuading spake the mild Physician,

‘ Those briny waves for thee are Death!’

But my soul fulfilled her mission,

And lo! I breathe untroubled breath!

Fashion's pining sons and daughters,

That seek the crowd they seem to fly,

Trembling they approach thy waters;

And what cares Nature, if they die?

Me a thousand hopes and pleasures

A thousand recollections bland,

Thoughts sublime, and stately measures,

Revisit on thy echoing strand:

Dreams ( the Soul herself forsaking ),

Tearful raptures, boyish mirth;

Silent adorations, making

A blessed shadow of this Earth!

O ye hopes, that stir within me,

Health comes with you from above!

God is with me, God is in me!

I cannot die, if Life be Love.