Prince, quoth Cadwallon, thou hast rode the waves In triumph, when the invaders felt thine arm.
Oh what a nobler conquest might be won
There, upon that wide field! .. What meanest
I cried.... That yonder waters are not spread A boundless waste, a bourn impassable ! . . That man should rule the Elements!.. that there Might manly courage, manly wisdom find
Some happy isle, some undiscovered shore, Some resting place for peace... Oh that my soul Could seize the wings of Morning! soon would I Behold that other world, where yonder sun Speeds now, to dawn in glory!
Conviction came upon my startled mind,
Like lightning on the midnight traveller.
I caught his hand; .. Kinsman and guide and friend, Yea, let us go together!... Down we sate, Full of the vision on the echoing shore. One only object filled ear, eye, and thought: We gazed upon the awful world of waves, And talked and dreamt of years that were to come.
NoT with a heart unmoved I left thy shores, Dear native isle ! oh . . . not without a pang, As thy fair uplands lessened on the view, Cast back the long involuntary look!
The morning cheered our outset; gentle airs Curled the blue deep, and bright the summer sun Played o'er the summer ocean, when our barks Began their way.
And they were gallant barks,
As ever through the raging billows rode! And many a tempest's buffeting they bore. Their sails all swelling with the eastern breeze, Their tightened cordage clattering to the mast, Steady they rode the main; the gale aloft
Sung in the shrouds, the sparkling waters hissed Before, and frothed, and whitened far behind. Day after day, with one auspicious wind,
Right to the setting sun we held our course. My hope had kindled every heart; they blest The unvarying breeze, whose unabating strength Still sped us onward; and they said that Heaven Favoured the bold emprize.
Mounting the mast-tower-top, with eager ken They gazed, and fancied in the distant sky Their promised shore, beneath the evening cloud, Or seen, low lying, through the haze of morn. I too with eyes as anxious watched the waves, Though patient, and prepared for long delay; For not on wild adventure had I rushed With giddy speed, in some delirious fit Of fancy but in many a tranquil hour Weighed well the attempt, till hope matured to faith.. Day after day, day after day the same, A weary waste of waters! still the breeze Hung heavy in our sails, and we held on One even course; a second week was gone, And now another past, and still the same, Waves beyond waves, the interminable sea! What marvel, if at length the mariners
Grew sick with long expectance? I beheld
Dark looks of growing restlessness, I heard
Distrust's low murmuring; nor availed it long
To see and not perceive.
Represt their fear, till like a smothered fire
It burst, and spread with quick contagion round, And strengthened as it spread. They spake in tones Which might not be mistaken,.. they had done What men dared do, ventured where never keel Had cut the deep before; still all was sea, The same unbounded ocean!.. to proceed Were tempting heaven.
I heard with feigned surprise,
And, pointing then to where our fellow bark,
Gay with her fluttering streamers and full sails, Rode, as in triumph, o'er the element,
I asked them what their comrades there would deem Of those so bold ashore, who, when a day, Perchance an hour, might crown their glorious toil, Shrunk then, and coward-like returned to meet Mockery and shame? true, they had ventured on In seas unknown, beyond where ever man Had ploughed the billows yet: more reason so Why they should now, like him whose happy speed Well nigh had run the race, with higher hope
Press onward to the prize. But late they said,
Marking the favour of the steady gale,
That Heaven was with us; Heaven vouchsafed us still Fair seas and favouring skies; nor need we pray For other aid, the rest was in ourselves;
Nature had given it, when she gave to man
Courage and constancy.
Awhile obedient; but I saw with dread The silent sullenness of cold assent. Then, with what fearful eagerness I gazed, At earliest daybreak, o'er the distant deep! How sick at heart with hope, when evening closed, Gazed through the gathering shadows!... but I saw The sun still sink below the endless waves, And still at morn, beneath the farthest sky, Unbounded ocean heaved. Day after day, Before the steady gale we drove along, . . Day after day! The fourth week now had past; Still all around was sea, the eternal sea!
So long that we had voyaged on so fast,
And still at morning where we were at night, And where we were at morn, at nightfall still, The centre of that drear circumference,
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