MORNING ALONG SHORE

HARK, oh hark the elfin laughter All the little waves along,

As if echoes speeding after Mocked a merry merman’s song!

All the gulls are out, delighting In a wild, uncharted quest— See the first red sunshine smiting Silver sheen of wing and breast!

Ho, the sunrise rainbow-hearted Steals athwart the misty brine,

And the sky where clouds have parted Is a bowl of amber wine!

Sweet, its cradle-lilt partaking, Dreams that hover o’er the sea, But the lyric of its waking Is a sweeter thing to me!

Who would drowze in dull devotion To his ease when dark is done, And upon its breast the ocean Like a jewel wears the sun?

“Up, forsake a lazy pillow !” Calls the sea from cleft and cave, Ho, for antic wind and billow When the mom is on the wave!

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