 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
LIII. STELLA MARIS.
I left at morn that blissful shore
O'er which the fruit-bloom fluttered free;
And sailed the wildering waters o'er,
Till sunset streaked with blood the sea.
O'er which the fruit-bloom fluttered free;
And sailed the wildering waters o'er,
Till sunset streaked with blood the sea.
My sleep the hoarse sea-thunders broke—
Death-visaged cliffs, with feet foam-hid
Leaned forth their brows through vapour-smoke
Like tower, and tomb, and pyramid.
Death-visaged cliffs, with feet foam-hid
Leaned forth their brows through vapour-smoke
Like tower, and tomb, and pyramid.
In death-black shadow, ghostly white,
The breaker raced o'er foaming shoals:
From caverns cold as death all night
Came wailings as of suffering Souls.
The breaker raced o'er foaming shoals:
From caverns cold as death all night
Came wailings as of suffering Souls.
At morn, through clearing mist the star
Of ocean o'er the billow rose:
Down dropped the elemental war;
Tormented chaos found repose.
Of ocean o'er the billow rose:
Down dropped the elemental war;
Tormented chaos found repose.
Star of the ocean! dear art thou,
Ah! not to sea-worn men alone:
The suffering Church, when shines thy brow
Upon her penance, stays her moan:
Ah! not to sea-worn men alone:
The suffering Church, when shines thy brow
Upon her penance, stays her moan:
99
The Holy Souls draw in their breath:
The sea of anguish rests in peace:
And from beyond the gates of death
Up swell the anthems of release.
The sea of anguish rests in peace:
And from beyond the gates of death
Up swell the anthems of release.
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |