Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HEALTH'S EXILES, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HEALTH'S EXILES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O diamond isle upon a diamond sea
Last Line: Back in the home-land where their heart remains!
Subject(s): Exiles; Stevenson, Robert Louis (1850-1894)


O diamond isle upon a diamond sea,
Wherein our Stevenson -- and Scotland's -- died,
Loathing thy loveliness, and weary-eyed
Turning from all thy softening sorcery
As the romance-maker of the Odyssey
Spurned Circe's coils, and day long sat beside
The cruel beauteous waves whose further tide
Touched home and friends and proud Penelope, --
Full many a sister scene as vainly fair
Holds guests as anguished with their perfumed chains,
Strong souls that sick and swooning bodies bear,
Exiles for health's sake from their native plains;
Ah, heavy task, when half their health is there,
Back in the home-land where their heart remains!





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