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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DOWN CHANNEL by ARTHUR GLYN PRYS-JONES

First Line: IN THAT MIRACULOUS SUNSET, WONDER-SPENT
Last Line: WAS THAT LONE CARAVEL THAT STOOD TO SEA.
Subject(s): IMMORTALITY; WALES; WELSHMEN; WELSHWOMEN;
I

IN that miraculous sunset, wonder-spent,
I saw a phantom ship, strange-rigged, afar
Upon the horizon where there glowed and went
The nimbus of the first, faint-risen star ...
It seemed as if an ancient caravel
Long captive in the dungeons of the deep
Had upward swung upon some eddying swell
That broke the bondage of her crystal sleep—
Once more to cleave the waters as of old,
Manned by her swart Phœnicians—those who stayed
The jackal Biscay seas—with laden hold
Of merchandise to tempt our sires to trade.
And through those western doors, warm-hued, ajar,
She set her prow ... and went her olden way
Across the sea — dim in the fading day
And ebony silhouette of line and spar.

II

@3A wraith, a dream, a shadow-ship maybe
That sailed forgotten seas from ghostly Tyre ...
And full of carven things beyond desire
Was that lone caravel that stood to sea.@1



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