Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN EVENING WALK BY THE SEA-SIDE, by CHARLOTTE SMITH Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Tis pleasant to wander along on the sand Last Line: Alike of the universe speak him the lord. Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, Charlotte Turner Subject(s): Birds; Seashore; Seaweed; Beach; Coast; Shore | ||||||||
'Tis pleasant to wander along on the sand, Beneath the high cliff that is hallowed in caves; When the fisher has put off his boat from the land, And the prawn-catcher wades thro' the short rippling waves. While fast run before us the sandling and plover, Intent on the crabs and the sand-eels to feed, And here on a rock which the tide will soon cover, We'll find us a seat that is tapestried with weed. Bright gleam the white sails in the slant rays of even, And stud as with silver the broad level main, While glowing clouds float on the fair face of Heaven, And the mirror-like water reflects them again. How various the shades of marine vegetation, Thrown here the rough flints and the pebbles among, The feather'd conferva of deepest carnation, The dark purple slake and the olive sea thong. While Flora herself unreluctantly mingles Her garlands with those that the Nereids have worn, For the yellow horned poppy springs up on the shingles, And convolvulas rival the rays of the morn. But now to retire from the rock we have warning, Already the water encircles our seat, And slowly the tide of the evening returning, The moon beam reflects in the waves at our feet. Ah! whether as now the mild Summer sea flowing, Scarce wrinkles the sands as it murmurs on shore, Or fierce wintry whirlwinds impetuously blowing Bid high maddening surges resistlessly roar; That Power, which can put the wide waters in motion, Then bid the vast billows repose at His word; Fills the mind with deep reverence, while Earth, Air, and Ocean, Alike of the universe speak him the Lord. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SEASHORE by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS EASTERN LONG ISLAND by MARVIN BELL THE WIND IS BLOWING WEST by JOSEPH CERAVOLO IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN by LUCILLE CLIFTON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER EMPTIES INTO THE GULF by LUCILLE CLIFTON GEOGRAPHY AS WARNING by MADELINE DEFREES POWER FAILURE by MADELINE DEFREES ELEGIAC SONNET: 2. WRITTEN AT THE CLOSE OF SPRING by CHARLOTTE SMITH ELEGIAC SONNET: 4. TO THE MOON by CHARLOTTE SMITH ELEGIAC SONNET: 44. WRITTEN IN THE CHURCH YARD AT MIDDLETON IN SUSSEX by CHARLOTTE SMITH |
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