The Mariner

"Wreck and stray and castaway." - SWINBURNE.             Once more adrift.     O'er dappling sea and broad lagoon,     O'er frowning cliff and yellow dune,     The long, warm lights of afternoon             Like jewel dustings sift.             Once more awake.     I dreamed an hour of port and quay,     Of anchorage not meant for me;     The sea, the sea, the hungry sea             Came rolling up the break.             Once more afloat.     The billows on my moorings press't,     They drove me from my moment's rest,     And now a portless sea I breast,             And shelterless my boat.             Once more away.     The harbour lights are growing dim,     The shore is but a purple rim,     The sea outstretches grey and grim.             Away, away, away!             Once more at sea,     The old, old sea I used to sail,     The battling tide, the blowing gale,     The waves with ceaseless under-wail             The life that used to be.