Page:A Treasury of South African Poetry.djvu/141

 A SUNRISE THOUGHT AT "COVE ROCK," NEAR EAST LONDON. of the Golden Orient! Lo! He comes And mounts, magnificent, his burning throne; Smiling in glory o'er the world of waters, Whose joyous waves leap welcome to his coming. See how the streaming rays, his almoners, Fling forth his largesses in flashing brilliants, Which the waves catch, and toss from crest to crest In dancing rapture! 'Tis a glorious sight To see a king right welcome to his subjects; To hear the voice of Gladness universal Greeting his royal smile. Not sea alone, But ocean, earth, and sky join look and voice In smile and song. See there in the far west, Where little cloudlets cluster, as they hang In modest diffidence upon the outskirts Of the vast audience-throng! they, too, are flushing Bright with the universal joy; and, hark! Breezes are striking their Æolian harps Among the woofs that wave along the hills; While the deep voices of the surge, far pealing, Thunder their ceaseless anthem to his praise.
 * Brief, as befitting, is the monarch's audience;

For who may look upon the King of light With eye unblenching? Now in massy folds, The darkening curtains of his cloud pavilion Gather around him; and tho' dazzling still