Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LESS SECURITY AT SEA THAN ON SHORE; AN IDYLLIUM, by MOSCHUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LESS SECURITY AT SEA THAN ON SHORE; AN IDYLLIUM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When seas are calm, tost by no angry wind
Last Line: Whose purling noise with pleasure charms the ear.
Subject(s): Sea; Ocean


WHEN seas are calm, tost by no angry wind,
What roving thoughts perplex my easy mind!
My Muse no more delights me, I would fain
Enjoy the tempting pleasures of the main.

But when I see the blust'ring storms arise,
Heaving up waves, like mountains, to the skies;
The seas I dread, and all my fancy bend
To the firm land, my old and certain friend.

In pleasant groves I there can shelter take;
'Mongst the tall pines the winds but music make:
The fisher's boat's his house, on seas he strives
To cheat poor fish, but still in danger lives.

Sweetly does gentle sleep my eyes invade,
While free from fear, under the plane-trees' shade
I lie, and there the neighb'ring fountains hear,
Whose purling noise with pleasure charms the ear.





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