Verses (Baughan)/Twilight by the Sea
TWILIGHT BY THE SEA
Above the weary world is spread
A sky of gentle grey,
And Eve’s unhasting footstep creeps
Across the quiet bay.
The waves along the beach
Plash ever, each on each.
The cliffs defiant brow takes on
A tenderer look; the wail
Of the wild sea-birds dies away;
Sleep folds her gradual veil
Earth’s tired eyes around,
But still the seawaves sound.
The daisies purse their petals up,
The lambs to shelter creep;
Man, putting off his toil, puts on
The nothingness of sleep.
Still, still upon the shore
The waves their music pour.
Deep grows the dusk. You cannot see
One crest or column shine.
Yet still the unceasing voice on voice
Attests the unending line
Of homebound waves that come
Surely and safely home.
Ay, waves so many! and not one,
O’er trackless leagues and vast
By nature sent to seek the shore,
But finds the shore at last!
—God! God! would men were free
With no less liberty!