Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SOUTH-FORELAND ELECTRIC LIGHT, by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SOUTH-FORELAND ELECTRIC LIGHT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: From calais pier I saw a brilliant sight
Last Line: Her shining honour and her moral might.
Subject(s): Electricity; Light


From Calais pier I saw a brilliant sight,
And from the sailor at my side besought
The meaning of that fire, which pierced the night
With lustre, by the foaming billows caught.
"Tis the South Foreland!' I resum'd my gaze
With quicker pulse, thus, on the verge of France,
To come on England's brightness in advance!
There! on the waters! In those far-seen rays
I hail'd the symbol of her fame in fight:
But, by a change akin to that which brought
The lightning under rule, the martial thought
Flash'd itself out, transform'd to quiet light;
I turn'd to all the good she did and taught,
Her shining honour and her moral might.





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