The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
263
“FAIR-EYED FRANCE”
SONNET
As Victor Hugo gazed upon the sea
And knew that o'er those leaping waves there lay
The land his spirit worshipped day by day,
Dreaming of hopes and joys that might not be,
So, lady sweet, I lift my gaze to thee
Across the tides of life whose white-waved line
Surges. Far-off thy laughing same eyes shine:
The same, but far-off,—and I am not free.
And knew that o'er those leaping waves there lay
The land his spirit worshipped day by day,
Dreaming of hopes and joys that might not be,
So, lady sweet, I lift my gaze to thee
Across the tides of life whose white-waved line
Surges. Far-off thy laughing same eyes shine:
The same, but far-off,—and I am not free.
I am an exile. Thou art fair-eyed France
Gleaming and beckoning across the foam.
To thy bright shore what ship shall take me home?
When shall I touch the lips who love the glance?—
I ask: in vain. No answer sounds along
The waves,—save the faint echo of my song.
Gleaming and beckoning across the foam.
To thy bright shore what ship shall take me home?
When shall I touch the lips who love the glance?—
I ask: in vain. No answer sounds along
The waves,—save the faint echo of my song.
1882.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |