EAST and north a waste of waters, south and west Lonelier lands than dreams in sleep would feign to be, When the soul goes forth on travel, and is prest Round and compassed in with clouds that flash and flee. Dells without a streamlet, downs without a tree, Cirques of hollow cliff that crumble, give their guest Little hope, till hard at hand he pause, to see Where the small town smiles, a warm still sea-side nest. Many a lone long mile, by many a headland's crest, Down by many a garden dear to bird and bee, Up by many a sea-down's bare and breezy breast, Winds the sandy strait of road where flowers run free. Here along the deep steep lanes by field and lea Knights have carolled, pilgrims chanted, on their quest, Haply, ere a roof rose toward the bleak strand's lee, Where the small town smiles, a warm still sea-side nest. Are the wild lands cursed perchance of time, or blest, Sad with fear or glad with comfort of the sea? Are the ruinous towers of churches fallen on rest Watched of wanderers woful now, glad once as we, When the night has all men's eyes and hearts in fee, When the soul bows down dethroned and dispossest? Yet must peace keep guard, by day's and night's decree, Where the small town smiles, a warm still sea-side nest. Friend, the lonely land is bright for you and me All its wild ways through: but this methinks is best, Here to watch how kindly time and change agree Where the small town smiles, a warm still sea-side nest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HER LIKENESS by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK A THUNDER-STORM (2ND VERSION) by EMILY DICKINSON DAMON THE MOWER by ANDREW MARVELL THE HOUSE ON THE HILL by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON UPON THE HILL BEFORE CENTREVILLE by GEORGE HENRY BOKER A GARGOYLE by ARTHUR STANLEY BOURINOT THE MOUNTAIN STORM by MILLARD FILLMORE BUMGARNER EXTRACTS FROM THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR CAYENNE by FRANK GELETT BURGESS |