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The Voice of the Waves.
BY MRS. HEMANS.
How perfect was the calm!—It seem'd no sleep,
No mood, which Season takes away, or brings;
I could have fancied that the mighty Deep
Was even the gentlest of all gentle things.
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But welcome Fortitude and patient cheer,
And frequent sights of what is to be borne!
Wordsworth.
Answer, ye chiming Waves!
That now in sunshine sweep;
Speak to me, from thy hidden caves,
Voice of the solemn Deep!
Hath man's lone spirit here
With storms in battle striven?
Where all is now so calmly clear,
Hath anguish cried to Heaven?
—Then the Sea's voice arose
Like an earthquake's under-tone:
"Mortal! the strife of human woes
"When hath not Nature known?
