Southampton Water

Smooth went our boat upon the summer seas,     Leaving, for so it seemed, the world behind,     Its sounds of mingled uproar: we, reclined     Upon the sunny deck, heard but the breeze     That o'er us whispering passed, or idly played     With the lithe flag aloft. A woodland scene     On either side drew its slope line of green,     And hung the water's shining edge with shade.     Above the woods, Netley! thy ruins pale     Peered as we passed; and Vecta's[1] azure hue     Beyond the misty castle[2] met our view;     Where in mid channel hung the scarce seen sail.     So all was calm and sunshine as we went     Cheerily o'er the briny element.     Oh! were this little boat to us the world,     As thus we wandered far from sounds of care,     Circled by friends and gentle maidens fair,     Whilst morning airs the waving pennant curled;     How sweet were life's long voyage, till in peace     We gained that haven still, where all things cease!