Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | I. Patriotism | | Ireland | | John James Piatt (1835–1917) |
| | A Seaside Portrait
A GREAT, still Shape, alone, | |
| She sits (her harp has fallen) on the sand, | |
| And sees her children, one by one, depart:— | |
| Her cloak (that hides what sins beside her own!) | |
| Wrapped fold on fold about her. Lo, | 5 |
| She comforts her fierce heart, | |
| As wailing some, and some gay-singing go, | |
| With the far vision of that Greater Land | |
| Deep in the Atlantic skies, | |
| Saint Brandan’s Paradise! | 10 |
| Another Woman there, | |
| Mighty and wondrous fair, | |
| Stands on her shore-rock:—one uplifted hand | |
| Holds a quick-piercing light | |
| That keeps long sea-ways bright; | 15 |
| She beckons with the other, saying “Come, | |
| O landless, shelterless, | |
| Sharp-faced with hunger, worn with long distress:— | |
| Come hither, finding home! | |
| Lo, my new fields of harvest, open, free, | 20 |
| By winds of blessing blown, | |
| Whose golden corn-blades shake from sea to sea— | |
| Fields without walls that all the people own!” | | | | |
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