The waves are dancing fast and bright
Blue isles and snowy mountains wear
The purple noon's transparent might：
The breath of the moist earth is light
Around its unexpanded buds；
Like many a voice of one delight—
The winds' the birds' the ocean-floods'—
The city's voice itself is soft like solitude's.
I see the deep's untrampled floor
With green and purple seaweeds strown；
I see the waves upon the shore
Like light dissolved in star-showers thrown.
I sit upon the sands alone；
The lightning of the noontide ocean
Is flashing round me and a tone
Arises from its measured motion—
How sweet did any heart now share in my emotion！
Alas！ I have nor hope nor health
Nor peace within nor calm around；
Nor that content surpassing wealth
The sage in meditation found
And walk'd with inward glory crown'd；
Nor fame nor power nor love nor leisure.
Others I see whom these surround—
Smiling they live and call life pleasure：
To me that cup has been dealt in another measure.
Yet now despair itself is mild
Even as the winds and waters are；
I could lie down like a tired child
And weep away the life of care
Which I have borne and yet must bear —
Till death like sleep might steal on me
And I might feel in the warm air
My cheek grow cold and hear the sea
Breathe o'er my dying brain its last monotony.