Oh, could this dreary winter dream Be gladdened by one golden gleam, One sunbeam’s blessed brightening ray Could turn this darkness into day. But this eclipse, this sunless gloom, That now makes life a living tomb, May know no dawn till earthly night Gives place to heaven’s eternal light.
As I sit by the seaside, And watch the blue waves On the boundless bright bosom of ocean, The roar of the billows, The sea as it raves, Awaken ecstatic emotion.
I long for the leisure To stay by its side, To linger in love by its beauties, To listen entranced, To gaze with delight, And regret that I have other duties.
I regret that dull life, With its prosy routine, Must claim my attention to-morrow; That I must awake From my bright ocean dream, And leave the cool seaside in sorrow.
This world of delight, This home by the sea, This hour so full of enjoyment, How I wish that the future Had nothing for me But just such happy employment.
I’d live by the sea, All these long summer days I’d watch the bright breakers at even, I’d wander at twilight, And silently gaze On the beauties of ocean and heaven.
Till Luna lends light To the billowy scene, That sparkles like gems in its glory; As tipping the waves With her silvery sheen. She nightly renews her bright story.
I’d gaze at the stars In the heavens on high, And list to the music of ocean, Till the moan of the sea And the zephyr’s soft sigh Would turn my delight to devotion.
I could muse on those orbs, Thus mirrored by waves, In revery live by the hour By the side of the sea, As it sighs or it raves, And dream of Omnipotent power.
Thy first bright twenty years have past, And left an impress that will last A lifetime on thy brow; May the moulding of thy gentle face, Which all the kindly feelings grace, Be always calm as now!
All nature’s noble gifts are thine, So carry out her sweet design In every new career; Thus radiate delight around, Make sunny happiness abound, And bless each future sphere.
Let every grace that now is thine Be ripened by the hand of time, Enriched by coming years; Ennobled and refined by art, That only culture can impart, And moral worth endears.
No idle ease nor empty hours Should dwarf thy mind’s improving powers, But live with earnest aim; And strive each happy trait to woo, Do nobly what thou hast to do, And grace thy future name.