Surf and Wave; The Sea as Sung by the Poets (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ...That murmurs over the weary sea, And seems to sing from everywhere, "Here mayst thou harbor peacefully; Here mayst thou rest from the aching oar; Turn thy curved prow ashore, And in our green isle rest forevermore--Foreverrnore." And Echo half wakes in the wooded hill, And, to her heart so calm and deep, Murmurs over in her sleep, Doubtfully pausing and murmuring still, "Evermore." Thus on life's weary sea Heareth the marinere Voices sweet, from far and near, Ever singing low and clear, Ever singing longingly. Is it not better here to be Than to be toiling late and soon? In the dreary night to see Nothing but the blood-red moon Go up and down into the sea; Or in the loneliness of day To see the still seals only Solemnly lift their faces gray, Making it yet more lonely? Is it not better than to hear Only the sliding of the wave Beneath the plank, and feel so near A cold and lonely grave, A restless grave, where thou shalt lie Even in death unquietly? Look down beneath thy wave-worn bark; Lean over the sea, and see The leaden eye of the sidelong shark Upturned patiently, Ever waiting there for thee: Look down and see those shapeless forms Which ever keep their dreamless sleep Far down within the gloomy deep, And only stir themselves in storms, Rising like islands from beneath, And snorting through the angry spray, As the frail vessel perisheth In the whirls of their unwieldy play: Look down, look down Upon the seaweed, slimy and dark, That waves its arms so lank and brown, Beckoning for thee; Look down beneath thy wave-worn bark Into the cold depth of the sea: Look down, look down Thus on life's lonely sea Heareth the marinere Voices sad, from far and near, Ever singing, full of fear, Ever singing drearfully. Here all is...