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OUTRE MER

OUTRE MER

I see, as one in dreaming,
 A broad, bright, quiet sea;
Beyond it lies a haven:—
 The only home for me.
Some men grow strong with trouble,
 But all my strength is past,
And tired and full of sorrow,
 I long to sleep at last.
By force of chance and changes
 Man’s life is hard at best;
And, seeing rest is voiceless,
 The dearest thing is rest.

Beyond the sea—behold it,
 The home I wish to seek,
The refuge of the weary,
 The solace of the weak!
Sweet angel fingers beckon,
 Sweet angel voices ask
My soul to cross the waters;
 And yet I dread the task.
God help the man whose trials
 Are tares that he must reap!
He cannot face the future.
 His only hope is sleep.

Across the main a vision
 Of sunset coasts, and skies,

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