The poetical works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in six volumes |
 |
 | 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
THE BROKEN OAR. |
|
|
|
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
 | The poetical works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |  |
THE BROKEN OAR.
Once upon Iceland's solitary strandA poet wandered with his book and pen,
Seeking some final word, some sweet Amen,
Wherewith to close the volume in his hand.
The billows rolled and plunged upon the sand,
The circling sea-gulls swept beyond his ken,
And from the parting cloud-rack now and then
Flashed the red sunset over sea and land.
220
A broken oar; and carved thereon he read:
“Oft was I weary, when I toiled at thee”;
And like a man, who findeth what was lost,
He wrote the words, then lifted up his head,
And flung his useless pen into the sea.
| The poetical works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | |