Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THREE FRIENDS, by EDWARD BLISS REED


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THREE FRIENDS, by                    
First Line: Fate and hard foes are prevailing?
Last Line: The cliff, and the wind, and the sea!
Subject(s): Death; Fate; Heaven; Memory; Sailing & Sailors; Sea Gulls; Dead, The; Destiny; Paradise


Fate and hard foes are prevailing?
Friends leave you stricken? The three,
When was their strength ever failing,
The cliff, and the wind, and the sea!

Steep climbs the path—never shun it—
Up where the hidden larks sing;
There is rest on the cliff when you've won it,
In the grass that is fragrant with ling.

No cry from the gulls, dipping, calling;
No voice from the boats far below;
No sound from the waves, leaping, falling,
To edge the sand crescent with snow.

Here stilled is the scourging emotion,
And hushed is the Memory's sigh
In the limitless peace of the ocean,
In the moors rolling up to the sky.

Comes the wind; with a shout he is chasing
The crested waves—faster he flies.
The fishing fleet homeward is racing,
Cloud galleons speed down the skies.

Sheer the cliff; but your dauntless desiring
Through the high gates of Heaven shall climb.
Your spirit, keen, quenchless, untiring,
Shall pass the gray mere-stones of Time.

Strong the wind; now the far sails are filling.
Outstripping each bark shall you go
Through fathomless seas where the thrilling
Swift winds of the spirit shall blow.

The baffled waves, ceaselessly ranging,
Must find at the cliff their far goal;
More resistless, onrushing, unchanging,
Sweep the measureless tides of the soul.

Man, are strong foes pressing near you?
Seek out your friends—they are three.
Are they not waiting to cheer you,
The cliff, and the wind, and the sea!





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