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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CADGWITH, by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My windows open to the autumn night | |||
I Man is a shadow's dream! Man is a shadow's dream! Opulent Pindar saith: Opulent Pindar saith: Yet man may win a gleam Yet man may win a gleam Of glory, before death. Of glory, before death. Saith golden Shakespeare: Man Saith golden Shakespeare: Man Is a dream's shadow! Yet, Though death do all death can, Is a dream's shadow! Yet, His soul toward life is set. Though death do all death can, His soul toward life is set. I, living with delight I, living with delight This rich autumnal day, This rich autumnal day, Mark the gulls' curving flight Across the black-girt bay. Mark the gulls' curving flight Across the black-girt bay. And the sea's working men, And the sea's working men, The fisher-folk, I mark Haul down their boats, and then The fisher-folk, I mark Haul down their boats, and then Launch for the deep sea dark. Launch for the deep sea dark. Far out the strange ships go: Their broad sails flashing red Far out the strange ships go: Their broad sails flashing red As flame, or white as snow: The ships, as David said. As flame, or white as snow: The ships, as David said. Winds rush and waters roll: Their strength, their beauty, brings Winds rush and waters roll: Into mine heart the whole Their strength, their beauty, brings Into mine heart the whole Magnificence of things: Magnificence of things: That men are counted worth That men are counted worth A part upon this sea, A part upon this earth, A part upon this sea, A part upon this earth, Exalts and heartens me. Exalts and heartens me. Ah, Glaucus, soul of man! Encrusted by each tide, Ah, Glaucus, soul of man! Encrusted by each tide, That, since the seas began, Hath surged against thy side: That, since the seas began, Hath surged against thy side: Encumbering thee with weed, Encumbering thee with weed, And tangle of the wave! And tangle of the wave! Yet canst thou rise at need, And thy strong beauty save! Yet canst thou rise at need, And thy strong beauty save! Tides of the world in vain Desire to vanquish thee: Tides of the world in vain Desire to vanquish thee: Prostrate, thou canst again Rise, lord of earth and sea: Prostrate, thou canst again Rise, lord of earth and sea: Rise, lord of sea and earth, Rise, lord of sea and earth, And winds, and starry night. And winds, and starry night. Thine is the greater birth And origin of light. Thine is the greater birth And origin of light. II II. My windows open to the autumn night, My windows open to the autumn night, In vain I watched for sleep to visit me: How should sleep dull mine ears, and dim my sight, In vain I watched for sleep to visit me: How should sleep dull mine ears, and dim my sight, Who saw the stars, and listened to the sea? Who saw the stars, and listened to the sea? Ah, how the City of our God is fair! If, without sea, and starless though it be, Ah, how the City of our God is fair! If, without sea, and starless though it be, For joy of the majestic beauty there, Men shall not miss the stars, nor mourn the sea. For joy of the majestic beauty there, Men shall not miss the stars, nor mourn the sea. III Mary Star of the sea! III. Mary Star of the Sea! Look on this little place: Look on this little place: Bless the kind fisher race, Mary Star of the sea! Bless the kind fisher race, Mary Star of the Sea! Send harvest from the deep, Mary Star of the Sea! Send harvest from the deep, Mary Star of the Sea! Mary Star of the Sea! Let not these women weep. Mary Star of the Sea! Let not these women weep. Mary Star of the Sea! Mary Star of the Sea! Give wife and mother joy In husband and in boy: Give wife and mother joy In husband and in boy: Mary Star of the Sea! Mary Star of the Sea! With intercession save, Mary Star of the Sea! With intercession save, Mary Star of the Sea! Mary Star of the Sea! Mary Star of the Sea! These children of the wave. These children of the wave. Mary Star of the Sea! Pour peace upon the wild Mary Star of the Sea! Waves, make their murmurs mild: Pour peace upon the wild Waves, make their murmurs mild: Mary Star of the Sea! Mary Star of the Sea! Now in thy mercy pray, Mary Star of the Sea! Now in thy mercy pray, Mary Star of the Sea! Mary Star of the Sea! For sailors far away. Mary Star of the Sea! For sailors far away. Mary Star of the Sea! Now be thy great prayers said Mary Star of the Sea! For all poor seamen dead: Now be thy great prayers said For all poor seamen dead: Mary Star of the Sea! Mary Star of the Sea! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHURCH OF A DREAM; TO BERNHARD BERENSON by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON THE DARK ANGEL by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON A FRIEND by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON CELTIC SPEECH by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON ENTHUSIASTS by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON FRIENDS: 4 by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON HILL AND VALE by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON LOVE'S WAYS by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON MYSTIC AND CAVALIER by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON |
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