 | Forest leaves |  |
MY HEART IS LIKE—
My heart is like an ocean shell
Thrown high upon a desert shore;
Far from the mermaid's magic cell
In which it dwelt of yore.
Thrown high upon a desert shore;
Far from the mermaid's magic cell
In which it dwelt of yore.
Far from the rich and holy bowers
Where corals arch the marble floor,
And sea-weeds with their cold fresh flowers
Are richly wreathen o'er.
Where corals arch the marble floor,
And sea-weeds with their cold fresh flowers
Are richly wreathen o'er.
Far from the reef where amber lies
And brilliant ocean feathers grow;
While pearly shells of various dyes
Adorn the depths below.
And brilliant ocean feathers grow;
While pearly shells of various dyes
Adorn the depths below.
From where the fountains of the deep
Are gushing in their sounding halls;
Where God's eternal mysteries sleep,
And sun-light never falls.
Are gushing in their sounding halls;
Where God's eternal mysteries sleep,
And sun-light never falls.
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From purest alabaster caves
Where the dense flood lies still and bright,
While far above, the shouting waves
Sport with the tempest's might.
Where the dense flood lies still and bright,
While far above, the shouting waves
Sport with the tempest's might.
From the strong cabinets which hold
The priceless treasures of the sea,
Rich gems, and veins of virgin gold,
Of unknown brilliancy.
The priceless treasures of the sea,
Rich gems, and veins of virgin gold,
Of unknown brilliancy.
Far from the sunny isles of shells,
Where bright waves kiss a silver strand,
Where soft wings wave, and music swells
The pomp of fairy land.
Where bright waves kiss a silver strand,
Where soft wings wave, and music swells
The pomp of fairy land.
From these remov'd the lonely shell
Lies glittering on the arid ground;
Above its bed no billows swell,
No kindred sleep around;
Lies glittering on the arid ground;
Above its bed no billows swell,
No kindred sleep around;
Yet ever from its deep recess
There breathes a low, a hymning tone,
Like mellow music of the sea
On evening breezes thrown.
There breathes a low, a hymning tone,
Like mellow music of the sea
On evening breezes thrown.
My heart is like an ocean shell,
From young life's fairy regions thrown,
Upon a barren land to dwell,
Scath'd, thirsty, and alone.
From young life's fairy regions thrown,
Upon a barren land to dwell,
Scath'd, thirsty, and alone.
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While memory from its deep recess
Breathes forth an everlasting strain,
Of days, and scenes of blessedness
That cannot come again.
Breathes forth an everlasting strain,
Of days, and scenes of blessedness
That cannot come again.
My heart is like an ocean shell
Thrown high upon a desert shore,
And murmuring from its lonely cell
Fond memories—ever more!—
Thrown high upon a desert shore,
And murmuring from its lonely cell
Fond memories—ever more!—
| Forest leaves | |