Poetical Remains of the Late Mrs Hemans/A Thought of the Sea

For other versions of this work, see Records of Passing Thought. V. A Thought of the Sea.

V.

A THOUGHT OF THE SEA.

My earliest memories to thy shores are bound,
Thy solemn shores, thou ever-chaunting main!
The first rich sunsets, kindling thought profound
In my lone being, made thy restless plain
As the vast shining floor of some dread fane,
All paved with glass and fire. Yet, O blue deep!
Thou that no trace of human hearts dost keep,
Never to thee did love with silvery chain
Draw my soul's dream, which thro' all nature sought
What waves deny;—some bower of stedfast bliss,
A home to twine with fancy, feeling, thought,
As with sweet flowers:—But chastened hope for this
Now turns from earth's green valleys, as from thee,
To that sole changeless world, where "there is no more sea."