Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT SEA by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: FAREWELL AND ADIEU' WAS THE BURDEN PREVAILING
Last Line: FAREWELL AND ADIEU.
Subject(s): ABSENCE; ROUNDELS; SEA; TRAVEL; SEPARATION; ISOLATION; OCEAN; JOURNEYS; TRIPS;
'FAREWELL and adieu' was the burden prevailing
Long since in the chant of a home-faring crew;
And the heart in us echoes, with laughing or wailing,
Farewell and adieu.

Each year that we live shall we sing it anew,
With a water untravelled before us for sailing
And a water behind us that wrecks may bestrew.

The stars of the past and the beacons are paling,
The heavens and the waters are hoarier of hue;
But the heart in us chants not an all unavailing
Farewell and adieu.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net