THE LIGHTHOUSE. THE rocky ledge runs far into the sea, And on its outer point, some miles away, Even at this distance I can see the tides, Upheaving, break unheard, along its base, A speechless wrath, that rises and subsides In the white lip and tremor of the face. And as the evening darkens, lo! how bright, Through the deep purple of the twilight air, Beams forth the sudden radiance of its light With strange, unearthly splendor in the glare! Not one alone; from each projecting cape And perilous reef along the ocean's verge, Starts into life dim, gigantic shape, Holding its lantern o'er the restless surge. Like the great giant Christopher it stands Upon the brink of the tempestuous wave, Wading far out among the rocks and sands, The night-o'ertaken mariner to save. And the great ships sail outward and return, Bending and bowing o'er the billowy swells, Though ages long have past Since our Fathers left their home, O'er untravelled seas to roam, Yet lives the blood of England in our veins! That blood of honest fame While the language free and bold How the vault of Heaven rung Round our coast; While the manners, while the arts, That mould a nation's soul, Between let Ocean roll, Our joint communion breaking with the Sun: The voice of blood shall reach, More audible than speech, "We are One." Washington Allston. THE THE LIGHTHOUSE. HE rocky ledge runs far into the sea, A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day. Even at this distance I can see the tides, Upheaving, break unheard, along its base, A speechless wrath, that rises and subsides In the white lip and tremor of the face. And as the evening darkens, lo! how bright, Through the deep purple of the twilight air, Beams forth the sudden radiance of its light With strange, unearthly splendor in the glare! Not one alone; from each projecting cape And perilous reef along the ocean's verge, Starts into life a dim, gigantic shape, Holding its lantern o'er the restless surge. Like the great giant Christopher it stands Upon the brink of the tempestuous wave, Wading far out among the rocks and sands, The night-o'ertaken mariner to save. And the great ships sail outward and return, Bending and bowing o'er the billowy swells, And ever joyful, as they see it burn, They wave their silent welcomes and farewells. They come forth from the darkness, and their sails Gleam for a moment only in the blaze, And eager faces, as the light unveils, Gaze at the tower, and vanish while they gaze. The mariner remembers when a child, On his first voyage, he saw it fade and sink; And when, returning from adventures wild, He saw it rise again o'er ocean's brink. Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same Year after year, through all the silent night Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame, Shines on that inextinguishable light! It sees the ocean to its bosom clasp The rocks and sea-sand with the kiss of peace; It sees the wild winds lift it in their grasp, And hold it up, and shake it like a fleece. The startled waves leap over it; the storm Press the great shoulders of the hurricane. The sea-bird wheeling round it, with the din A new Prometheus, chained upon the rock, "Sail on!" it says, "sail on, ye stately ships! SEE THE STEAMSHIP. EE how yon flaming herald treads As, crashing o'er their crested heads, The morning spray, like sea-born flowers, In lurid fringes thrown, The living gems of ocean sweep Along her flashing zone. |