II.
SEA and land were one gigantic flower,
Lying not at rest
On Tellus tawny breast,
But palpitantly thrilling to the power
Of hidden fires that ever outward pressed,-
Pansy purple gloomed the far horizon,
Nearer billows grew
Myosotis blue,
A million dancing sparkles did bedizen
The liquid petals as with morning dew,
Stamen-slim and white the waves were crisping
All along the beach
In a yearning reach,
And ever was their innocent low lisping
As are rose-reveries folded each in each,
All the sand was but as pollen golden,
Mealy, warm and sweet,
Seeming as it beat
Heartlike, as within its grains were holden
Vivifying pulse and fructuant heat,
Tangled juniper and cooling mosses
Fringed the sea-bloom s rim,
Hemlocks giant-grim
And stark cedar s graveyard shafts and crosses
Girt the flower with eboned greenness dim,-
And 0! the tribute free and aromatic
These loyal vassals fling
To their sun and king!
Never comes a moment so ecstatic
As first breath of balsam in the spring.
