On Revisiting the Sea-Shore

God be with thee, gladsome Ocean!How gladly greet I thee once more!Ships and waves, and ceaseless motion,And men rejoicing on thy shore.

Dissuading spake the mild Physician,"Those briny waves for thee are Death!"But my soul fulfill'd her mission,And lo! I breathe untroubled breath!

Fashion's pining Sons and Daughters,That seek the crowd they seem to fly,Trembling, they approach thy waters;And what cares Nature, if they die?

Me a thousand hopes and pleasures,A thousand recollections bland,Thoughts sublime, and stately measures,Revisit on thy echoing strand:

Dreams, (the Soul herself forsaking,)Tearful raptures, boyish mirth;Silent adorations, makingA blessed shadow of this Earth!

O ye hopes, that stir within me,Health comes with you from above!God is with me, God is in me!I cannot die, if Life be Love.