“My Son! Behold The Tide Already Spent”

The following sonnet occurs after the above in the same MS. whence both are extracted.--ED.

My Son! behold the tide already spent That rose, and steadily advanced to fill The shores and channels, working Nature’s will Among the mazy streams that backward went, And in the sluggish Ports where ships were pent. And now, its task performed, the flood stands still At the green base of many an inland hill, In placid beauty and entire content. Such the repose that Sage and Hero find, Such measured rest the diligent and good Of humbler name, whose souls do like the flood Of ocean press right on, or gently wind, Neither to be diverted nor withstood Until they reach the bounds by Heaven assigned.

1820