IN the cold starlight, on the barren beach, Where to the stones the rent sea-tresses clave, I heard the long hiss of the backward wave Down the steep shingle, and the hollow speech Of murmurous cavern-lips, nor other breach Of ancient silence. None was with me, save Thoughts that were neither glad nor sweet nor brave, But restless comrades, each the foe of each. And I beheld the waters in their might Writhe as a dragon by some great spell curbed And foiled; and one lone sail; and over me The everlasting taciturnity; The august, inhospitable, inhuman night, Glittering magnificently unperturbed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SANDPIPER by CELIA LEIGHTON THAXTER IN SCHOOL-DAYS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER ADVENTURE ON THE WINGS OF MORNING by RACHEL ALBRIGHT ANDROMEDA by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH SLEEPING OUT: FULL MOON by RUPERT BROOKE ASOLANDO: SPECULATIVE by ROBERT BROWNING A SONG FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT |