By the Gates of the Sea.
Bright amber bars o’er all the West,1
With glow as deep as ruddy ore ;2
The weary coming home for rest,3
And children’s laughter from the shore.4
The mellow chimes of evening bells,5
The ships receding o’er the main ;6
The tear-dimmed eyes and sad farewells7
Which have been and will be again.8
A seven years’ child upon the sands9
Amidst the gold-lipped mystic shells,10
Which murmur of fair sunny lands11
Where wondrous music ebbs and swells.12
With growing joy his eager ear13
Hears songs from isles in emerald seas,14
And strains of heavenly music clear15
Of his life’s far-back mysteries.16
An agèd man with silvered hair17
Gazing into the glowing West,18
With wistful eyes and yearning prayer19
For peace and home and perfect rest ;20
Slow searching through the years gone by21
For some sweet, tender, long-lost strain ;22
And vainly calling with a sigh23
On friends who answer not again.24
Two children on the shining shore,25
Amidst their palaces of sand ;26
Two worn ones by the cottage door,27
The open Book of God at hand.28
Two lovers happy, loyal, brave,29
And knit together for the strife ;30
Two resting in one peaceful grave,—31
So thus goes on the round of life !32