12

NO MORE SEA,

Only that which marr'd thy beauty, Only that had passed away, Sullen wilds of Ocean- moorland, Bloated features of decay. Only that dark waste of waters,

Line ne'er fathom'd, eye ne'er scanned, Only that shall shrink and vanish,

Yielding back the imprison'd land. Yielding back earth's fertile hollows, Long- submerged and hidden plains; Giving up a thousand valleys,

Of the ancient world's domains. Leaving still bright azure ranges,

Winding round this rocky tower; Leaving still yon gem- bright island, Sparkling like an ocean flower. Leaving still some placid stretches, Where the sun- beams bathe at noon, Leaving still some lake- like reaches, Mirrors for the silver moon. Only all of gloom and horror, Idle wastes of endless brine, Haunts of darkness, storm and danger, These shall be no longer thine. Backward ebbing, wave and ripple,

Wondrous scenes shall then disclose; And, like earth's, the wastes of ocean Then shall blossom as the rose.