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SUNSET ON GIBRALTAR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tis sweet upon a summer eve to stand
Last Line: Far buena vista's lights allure my weary feet.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ryan, William Thomas Carroll
Subject(s): Gibraltar; Soldiers; Spain - History; War; Weariness; Fatigue


'Tis sweet upon a summer eve to stand
Upon dark Calpe's venerable height.
And gaze upon the scene of sea and land,
Which lies beneath thee in the soften'd light,
When the bright sun in its descending flight
Has clothed the Spanish hills in crimson glow,
And the dark shades of fast-approaching night
Enshroud the valleys that are hid below,
And distant mountains far their lengthening shadows throw.

Along the billows from Levantine seas
Fantastic clouds upon the waters creep,
The sweet, cool breathing of the evening breeze
Brings strange, sad murmurs from the dark'ning deep.
From Afric's cloudy mountains, looming steep
And boldly out against the south'rn sky,
Where weary warriors their watching keep,
The mellow noises often echo by,
Like to the sighs of those who there in battle die.

Dim grow the sails that swiftly course along,
Seeking the distant ocean's troubled breast.
Loud boom the surges, rising hoarse and strong,
Then moaning softly as if soothed to rest.
The light grows fainter now along the west,
The bugles sound the signal of retreat,
And I must answer to the stern behest,
But thus to wander unto me is sweet.
Far Buena Vista's lights allure my weary feet.





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