Page:Scenes in my Native Land.pdf/47

Rh While on the far horizon, many a sail Loomed up conspicuous, as the western sun Involved himself in clouds. One house there was, Where the light-keeper and his family Dwelt, sole inhabitants, but yet not sad In that lone place. Young children brought them love, That other name for happiness, and they Who dwell in love, do taste on earth, of heaven. Beneath that peaceful, lowly roof, we found Order and neatness, and such table spread As might the wearied traveller well content; Though all night long, the melancholy main Held conflict with the rocks. Returning morn Saw us explorers of the sterile coast, Shell-gatherers and wave-watchers, oft-times lost In that long trance of meditation sweet, Which on the borders of the solemn deep Best visiteth the soul. And then we turned, Our way retracing, to that southern point Where our brief summer-residence we held, Amid such draughts of ocean's bracing air, And soothing habitudes of rural life, So primitive, so simple, so serene, That languid nerve, and wasted, drooping mind Alike revivify. But first, we bade