SONNET.THE OCEAN.Oh!that the Ocean were my element!And I could dwell among its deepest waves,Like one whose home is in its gushing caves,Beneath the waters, whether tame or rent.Would I could roam down where the Mermaid lavesHer half-formed limbs!—for Envy comes not there,Nor Pride nor Hatred, nor is Malice sent,Nor the deep sullenness of dark Despair.Would I were not of earth—but of the sea!And held communion with its creatures fair:Gentle in its gentleness, but whene'erA tempest shook it, and the winds were free,My bounding spirit would delight to soar,Float in its foam, and revel in its roar!
Oh!that the Ocean were my element!And I could dwell among its deepest waves,Like one whose home is in its gushing caves,Beneath the waters, whether tame or rent.Would I could roam down where the Mermaid lavesHer half-formed limbs!—for Envy comes not there,Nor Pride nor Hatred, nor is Malice sent,Nor the deep sullenness of dark Despair.Would I were not of earth—but of the sea!And held communion with its creatures fair:Gentle in its gentleness, but whene'erA tempest shook it, and the winds were free,My bounding spirit would delight to soar,Float in its foam, and revel in its roar!
Oh!that the Ocean were my element!And I could dwell among its deepest waves,Like one whose home is in its gushing caves,Beneath the waters, whether tame or rent.Would I could roam down where the Mermaid lavesHer half-formed limbs!—for Envy comes not there,Nor Pride nor Hatred, nor is Malice sent,Nor the deep sullenness of dark Despair.Would I were not of earth—but of the sea!And held communion with its creatures fair:Gentle in its gentleness, but whene'erA tempest shook it, and the winds were free,My bounding spirit would delight to soar,Float in its foam, and revel in its roar!
Oh!that the Ocean were my element!And I could dwell among its deepest waves,Like one whose home is in its gushing caves,Beneath the waters, whether tame or rent.Would I could roam down where the Mermaid lavesHer half-formed limbs!—for Envy comes not there,Nor Pride nor Hatred, nor is Malice sent,Nor the deep sullenness of dark Despair.Would I were not of earth—but of the sea!And held communion with its creatures fair:Gentle in its gentleness, but whene'erA tempest shook it, and the winds were free,My bounding spirit would delight to soar,Float in its foam, and revel in its roar!
Oh!that the Ocean were my element!
And I could dwell among its deepest waves,
Like one whose home is in its gushing caves,
Beneath the waters, whether tame or rent.
Would I could roam down where the Mermaid laves
Her half-formed limbs!—for Envy comes not there,
Nor Pride nor Hatred, nor is Malice sent,
Nor the deep sullenness of dark Despair.
Would I were not of earth—but of the sea!
And held communion with its creatures fair:
Gentle in its gentleness, but whene'er
A tempest shook it, and the winds were free,
My bounding spirit would delight to soar,
Float in its foam, and revel in its roar!