Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SODUS BAY, by ELIZABETH LUMMIS FRIES ELLETT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SODUS BAY, by                 Poet Analysis    
First Line: I bless thee - native shore!
Last Line: Its childhood with the music of thy waves
Alternate Author Name(s): Ellet, Elizabth F.
Subject(s): Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario


I BLESS thee -- native shore!
Thy woodlands gay, and waters sparkling clear!
'T is like a dream once more
The music of thy thousand waves to hear!
As murmuring up the sand,
With kisses bright they lave the sloping land.

The gorgeous sun looks down,
Bathing thee gladly in his noontide ray;
And o'er thy headlands brown
With loving light the tints of evening play.
Thy whispering breezes fear
To break the calm so softly hallow'd here.

Here, in her green domain,
The stamp of Nature's sovereignty is found;
With scarce disputed reign
She dwells in all the solitude around.
And here she loves to wear
The regal garb that suits a queen so fair.

Full oft my heart hath yearn'd
For thy sweet shades and vales of sunny rest!
Even as the swan return'd,
Stoops to repose upon thy azure breast,
I greet each welcome spot
Forsaken long -- but ne'er, ah, ne'er forgot!

'T was here that memory grew --
'T was here that childhood's hopes and cares were left;
Its early freshness too --
Ere droops the soul, of her best joys bereft.
Where are they? -- o'er the track
Of cold years, I would call the wanderers back!

They must be with thee still!
Thou art unchanged -- as bright the sunbeams play --
From not a tree or hill
Hath time one hue of beauty snatch'd away.
Unchanged alike should be
The blessed things so late resign'd to thee!

Give back, oh, smiling deep!
The heart's fair sunshine, and the dreams of youth
That in thy bosom sleep --
Life's April innocence, and trustful truth!
The tones that breathed of yore
In thy lone murmurs, once again restore!

Where have they vanish'd all? --
Only the heedless winds in answer sigh --
Still rushing at thy call,
With reckless sweep the streamlet flashes by!
And idle as the air,
Or fleeting stream, my soul's insatiate prayer

Home of sweet thoughts -- farewell!
Where'er through changeful life my lot may be,
A deep and hallow'd spell
Is on thy waters and thy woods for me!
Though vainly fancy craves
Its childhood with the music of thy waves





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