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O WONDER OF THE SEA, FR. OMPHALE AND HERAKLES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: His heart were lightened I believe, to see us
Last Line: "that, that, has dreamed my soul!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Moore, T. Sturge
Subject(s): Homesickness


(From Ompbale and Herakles)
SIMAETHA:
His heart were lightened, I believe, to see us
Feign o'er this roof to sail as girls at Rhodes
Skim meadows close beside the sea when all
The little ones swoop round us curtseying;
They call themselves the white-winged birds, and woo us
As stately ship is wooed by kittiwakes;
For we have wider skirts and vests; they sing:
"O wonder of the sea,
On green waves riding,
Thou drawest the heart of me
To love confiding:
My heart, oh, that is great
As thou art, strong one,
And starts on voyage elate
E'en for a long one."
Then we the elder girls grave-voiced reply:
"Thy love is too light for me,
Its home too near;
What seemeth long to thee,
Is short, I fear;
Though ocean have isles afar,
Where birds may nest,
That, as night showeth star upon star,
Adorn his breast;
No isle, no rest, my goal;
To sail as far as blue waves roll,
That, that, has dreamed my soul,
...has dreamed my soul!
That, that, has dreamed my soul!"





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