Choice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader · Chapter 337=417.= the Sea-Shell
This chapter is not translated yet. You are reading the original.
Sadly the murmur, stealing Through the dim windings of the mazy shell, Seemeth some ocean-mystery concealing Within its cell.
And ever sadly breathing, As with the tone of far-off waves at play, That dreamy murmur through the sea-shell wreathing Ne'er dies away.
It is no faint replying Of far-off melodies of wind and wave, No echo of the ocean billow, sighing Through gem-lit cave.
It is no dim retaining Of sounds that through the dim sea-caverns swell But some lone ocean spirit's sad complaining, Within that cell.
* * * * *
I languish for the ocean— I pine to view the billow's heaving crest; I miss the music of its dream-like motion, That lulled to rest.
How like art thou, sad spirit, To many a one, the lone ones of the earth! Who in the beauty of their souls inherit A purer birth;
* * * * *
Yet thou, lone child of ocean, May'st never more behold thine ocean-foam, While they shall rest from each wild, sad emotion, And find their home!
[Footnote 93: A native of Virginia; her poetical pieces have been much admired.]
* * * * *
=Albert Sutliffe,[94] 1830-.=