POETRY. OLD OCEAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 350, 13 March 1889, Page 3

POETRY. OLD OCEAN.

Let others praise the flowing land, Or raise the lover's tuneful strain, But I've a theme more nobly grand, I laud the main, the bounding main. Mid scenes of gilded vice I pine. I hate to breathe in murky air, The ocean has a charm divine. For freedom's spirit revels there. What if we plough the glist'ning wave On fav'ring breezes wafted home, Or where the storm-bred breakers rave With raging rush and seething ioam ? Upheaved upon their tossing crests, .Light does the buoyant barque careen, Then gliding o'er their glassy breasts Drives through the liquid hills between. In one far'reaching torrent wide. Above her tow'rs the tolt'ring flood : Upon her rolls the 'whelming tide, She shudd'ring reels before the thud, Till from the turbid waters freed, She breasts the billows' grim array. Then, like a strong and startled steed, Darts forth upon her dang'rous way. Though lightning rends the quiv'ring clouda With blinding blue and livid ray: Though tempests shake the shiv'ring shrouds, And &alt and stinging drives the spray; Though drifting rains a deluge pour, Though whirlwinds rack the straining gear, '2<lvl thunder's crash and. torrents' roar The i'reeborn spirit mocks at fear. Then let the miser-gloat in glee O'er treasured hoards ot golden gain, But naught can match the heaving sea, Broad ocean's blue and boundless plain. Chas. E. Harvie. Upper Symonds-street, March 4th, 1839.