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ON RE-VISITING THE SEASHORE,
AFTER LONG ABSENCE
,
Under strong medical recommendation not to bathe.

God be with thee, gladsome Ocean!
How gladly greet I thee once more!
Ships and waves, and ceaseless motion,
And men rejoicing on thy shore.

Dissuading spake the mild Physician,
"Those briny waves for thee are Death!"
But my soul fulfill'd her mission,
And lo! I breathe untroubled breath!

Fashion's pining Sons and Daughters,
That seek the crowd they seem to fly,
Trembling, they approach thy waters;
And what cares Nature, if they die?

VOL. II.
M