Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN FALMOUTH HARBOUR, SELS., by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN FALMOUTH HARBOUR, SELS., by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The large, calm harbour lies below
Subject(s): England; Falmouth, England


I
The large, calm harbour lies below
Long, terraced lines of circling light:
Without, the deep sea currents flow:
And here are stars, and night.


No sight, no sound, no living stir,
But such as perfect the still bay:
So hushed it is, the voyager
Shrinks at the thought of day.


We glide by many a lanterned mast;
Our mournful horns blow wild to warn
Yon looming pier: the sailors cast
Their ropes, and watch for morn.


Strange murmurs from the sleeping town,
And sudden creak of lonely oars
Crossing the water, travel down
The roadstead, the dim shores.


A charm is on the silent bay;
Charms of the sea, charms of the land.
Memories of open wind convey
Peace to this harbour strand.


Far off, Saint David's crags descend
On seas of desolate storm: and far
From this pure rest, the Land's drear End,
And ruining waters, are.


Well was it worth to have each hour
Of high and perilous blowing wind:
For here, for now, deep peace hath power
To conquer the worn mind.


I have passed over the rough sea,
And over the white harbour bar:
And this is Death's dreamland to me,
Led hither by a star.


And what shall dawn be? Hush thee, nay!
Soft, soft is night, and calm and still:
Save that day cometh, what of day
Knowest thou: good, or ill?


Content thee! Not the annulling light
Of any pitiless dawn is here;
Thou art alone with ancient night:
And all the stars are clear.


Only the night air, and the dream;
Only the far, sweet-smelling wave;
The stilly sounds, the circling gleam,
And thine: and thine a grave.


II
Hence, by stern thoughts and strong winds borne,
Voyaged, with faith that could not fail,
Who cried: Lead, kindly Light! forlorn
Beneath a stranger sail.


Becalmed upon a classic sea;
Wandering through eternal Rome;
Fighting with Death in Sicily:
He hungered for his home.


These northern waves, these island airs!
Dreams of these haunted his full heart:
Their love inspired his songs and prayers,
Bidding him play his part.


The freedom of the living dead;
The service of a living pain:
He chose between them, bowed his head
And counted sorrow, gain.


Ah, sweetest soul of all! whose choice
Was golden with the light of lights:
But us doubt's melancholy voice,
Wandering in gloom, unites.


Ah, sweetest soul of all! whose voice
Hailed morning, and the sun's increase:
We of the restless night rejoice,
We also, at thy peace.






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