The writings of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume 4.
John Greenleaf Whittier, Ed.

So, as I sat upon Appledore
     In the calm of a closing summer day,
And the broken lines of Hampton shore
     In purple mist of cloudland lay,
The Rivermouth Rocks their story told;
     And waves aglow with sunset gold,
Rising and breaking in steady chime,
     Beat the rhythm and kept the time.

And the sunset paled, and warmed once more
     With a softer, tenderer after-glow;
In the east was moon-rise, with boats off-shore
     And sails in the distance drifting slow.
The beacon glimmered from Portsmouth bar,
     The White Isle kindled its great red star;
And life and death in my old-time lay
     Mingled in peace like the night and day!

‘Well!’ said the Man of Books, “your story
     Is really not ill told in verse.
As the Celt said of purgatory,
     One might go farther and fare worse.”
The Reader smiled; and once again
     With steadier voice took up his strain,
While the fair singer from the neighboring tent
     Drew near, and at his side a graceful listener bent.

1864.