Poems and dramas of George Cabot Lodge

I have sung till the night was ecstatic,
Till my lyrics woke flame in the moon,
I have sung to the morning's desire
And sheathed in the metal of noon.

When my forehead was furrowed with silver,
When my bosom swelled softly as sleep,
When I wounded the sands in my passion,
When I lisped through the sea-weed at neap,

Through the piteous wail of the siren,
Through the bell-buoy's comfortless moan,
Through the silence that stirs to a sea-bird
That moves in my vastness alone,

I have sung; through the ranges of music
I have frightened and comforted man,
I have praised the strong life that compels me
As what voice in the universe can.

I have sung the great lyric of sorrow,
The splendour of life and the pain,
I have pitied the spirit's endeavour,
The doubt and despair in the brain.

My passion is never senescent,
My sorrow is balm to the soul,
My voice is divine with remembrance,
With peace and commiserate dole.

I have lavished my largess of comfort,
Taken earth in mine arms like a child,
Taught the children of life of its splendour,
Brought their eyes to the light unbeguiled.

I have laboured and none shall reward me,
I have lavished and none shall repay,
If the earth that I serve be ungrateful
My bounty shall never decay.

Could the stars be repaid for their brilliance,
They would fall through precipitous air
Day and night from the summit of heaven,
Leave the universe blackened and bare.

Take my beauty—God's image is mirrored,
Take my pity for Fate's sure control,
Take my song, it is Life's evanescence,
Take my silence, the strength of the Soul!

University of Virginia Library

THE OCEAN SINGS