Page:Verses–Blanche·Baughan-1898.pdf/39



STRONG isle of stillness ’mid a roaring Sea! Like some great Queen thy solitude doth stand, Deigning with quiet majesty and grand To front these wild waves of Humanity. How proud a privilege is granted thee! All round thou see’st the mighty flood expand, Hear’st its hoarse voice of thunderous command, Know’st all its power; yet from that power art free!

Man’s joy, Man’s woe, his hunger and his wealth, For ever art thou contemplating these; Yet still thy fountains the air with health, Above the glaring pavement dream thy trees. —Could but my soul, herself as free from strife, As fully face each fact of human life!